Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1858: Relating to Vital Statistics.
Status: Signed into law, June 24, 2026
Amends the various requirements in the event of a fetal death, including registration of certain fetal deaths, filing and preparation of a certificate of fetal death, and issuance of a permit for removal, burial, or other disposition.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to vital statistics.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to National Vital Statistics System data, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders have one of the highest rates of fetal death in the United States. Studies have shown that parents who experience a fetal death can endure lasting psychological trauma, with sixty to seventy per cent of grieving mothers reporting clinically significant depression one year after their baby's death. For some parents, these mental health struggles are lifelong. Furthermore, psychological trauma associated with fetal death has been shown to have societal effects such as reduced earnings from employment or an inability to return to paid employment. The legislature further finds that the State lacks the comprehensive, reliable data needed to understand and address the causes behind the disparity in rates of fetal death among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Amending existing law will address inconsistencies in reporting requirements, improve 2026-1818 HB1858 SDl SMA.docx iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiii Page H.B. NO. clarity and feasibility of reporting, and improve the quality of fetal death data in Hawaii, which will in turn enable health care providers to implement interventions to prevent and decrease the rate of fetal death in the State's communities. The legislature notes that existing law combines fetal death reporting requirements with general death reporting requirements, which creates …
Sponsors
- Gregg Takayama (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Mark Hashem (D, 19)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Ikaika Olds (D, 23)
- Kanani Souza (R, 43)
- David Tarnas (D, 8)
Latest actions
- : Act 137, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1238).
- : Act 137, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1238).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).
- : House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).
- : Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 815).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Chang Co-Chair; Fevella.
- : Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
Votes
- Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1) (April 23, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HHS: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 20, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (March 10, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JHA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 24, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Vital Statistics, Study, DOH
Common questions
- What is HB1858?
- HB1858 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Vital Statistics.
- What does HB1858 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to vital statistics.
- What is the status of HB1858?
- Signed into law as of June 24, 2026. Latest action: Act 137, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1238). (June 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1858?
- Gregg Takayama (D, 34), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1858?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1858&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.