Hawaii HB1515: Relating to Workers' Compensation.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to workers' compensation.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that timely and accurate determination of an injured worker's physical abilities and functional restrictions is essential to ensure fair treatment under the workers' compensation system. Functional capacity examinations play a critical role in assessing whether an injured worker can return to work, with or without accommodations, or proceed with vocational rehabilitation when returning to full duty is not possible. However, the current system often delays functional capacity examinations due to denials or pending approvals from insurers or adjusters, thereby prolonging the injured worker's path to recovery and return to work. These delays exacerbate financial and emotional strain on workers, increase administrative inefficiencies, and impede the progress of vocational rehabilitation programs. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to streamline the approval process for functional capacity examinations, ensuring automatic approval of the examinations when requested by the 2026--3317 HB1515 CD1 HMSO ~ ~ H.B. C.D. attending physician under certain conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary delays and improving outcomes for injured workers. SECTION 2. Chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "~386- Functional capacity examination. (a) When an injured employee's attending physician has determined that the employee has reached medical stabilization and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Scot Matayoshi (D, 49) · primary sponsor
• Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
• Michael Lee (D, 50)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Ikaika Olds (D, 23)
• Gregg Takayama (D, 34)
• David Tarnas (D, 8)
• Shirley Ann Templo (D, 30)

Latest actions

1. June 24, 2026: Act 124, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1225).
2. June 24, 2026: Act 124, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1225).
3. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
4. May 7, 2026: Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
6. May 5, 2026: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).
7. May 1, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).
8. May 1, 2026: Deferred one day 05-06-26.
9. April 29, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
10. April 29, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 34-26).

Votes

• Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 1, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
• none. (April 28, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (April 28, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 9, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1515?

HB1515 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Workers' Compensation.

What does HB1515 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to workers' compensation.

What is the status of HB1515?

Signed into law as of June 24, 2026. Latest action: Act 124, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1225). (June 24, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1515?

Scot Matayoshi (D, 49), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1515?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1515&year=2026