Hawaii HB1974: Relating to Health.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to health.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that hearing loss is a significant public health concern that affects individuals of all ages, from keiki to kupuna. National and state-level data indicate that tens of thousands of Hawaii residents experience some degree of hearing loss, including many who report serious hearing difficulty or deafness. Hearing loss becomes increasingly common with age, affecting roughly one--third of adults in their sixties, a majority of adults in their seve~ities, and most adults in their eighties. The legislature further finds that despite the prevalence of hearing loss, it remains widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although newborn hearing screenings are in place, Hawaii lacks a coordinated statewide approach to screening and follow-up for school-age children and adults. Primary care providers often receive limited training and reimbursement incentives to screen for hearing loss, hearing aids and assistive devices remain prohibitively expensive for many 2026--3431 HB1974 CD1 HMSO H.B. NcJ. ~ C.D. I residents, and pathways to diagnosis and treatment are frequently fragmented and difficult to navigate. Untreated hearing loss increases risk of cognitive decline and dementia, falls, social isolation and mental health issues, reduced workforce participation, caregiver burden, and costly institutional care. There is critical need for a coordinated statewide strategy to address these medical, social, educational, and economic impacts. The purpose …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Gregg Takayama (D, 34) · primary sponsor
• Terez Amato (D, 11)
• Della Belatti (D, 26)
• Cory Chun (D, 35)
• Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
• Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Michael Lee (D, 50)

Latest actions

1. July 10, 2026: Act 223, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1325).
2. July 10, 2026: Act 223, 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1325).
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: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
6. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
7. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
8. May 1, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
9. May 1, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 177-26).
10. May 1, 2026: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.

Votes

• Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
• none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 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 8, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1974?

HB1974 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Health.

What does HB1974 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to health.

What is the status of HB1974?

Signed into law as of July 10, 2026. Latest action: Act 223, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1325). (July 10, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1974?

Gregg Takayama (D, 34), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1974?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1974&year=2026