Hawaii SB1279: Relating to Pharmacists.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to pharmacists.

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACISTS. SECTION 1. Chapter 461, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as limited authorization for medically underserved patients. (a) A registered pharmacist who is under contract with a covered entity may oversee the filling or receipt of a prescription for sale or distribution via telehealth by way of an interactive telecommunication system if: (1) The patient for whom the medication is prescribed is located at a facility operated by the covered entity; (2) The covered entity obtained a pharmacy license for, or applied for the relocation of a pharmacy license to, that facility; and (3) The contracted pharmacist is not located at that facility. (b) For the purposes of this section: 2025-1818 SB1279 SD2 SMA.docx HHDHHIIHEMMSMEemmmu Page 2 S.B. NO. 1279 S.D. "Covered entity" has the same meaning as defined in section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. section 256b). "Interactive telecommunications system" has the same meaning as defined in title 42 Code of Federal Regulations section 410.78(a). "Telehealth" means the use of telecommunications services, as defined in section 269-1, including real-time audio and video conferencing-based communication, secure interactive and non-interactive web-based communication, and secure asynchronous information exchange, to transmit patient medical information for the purpose of delivering enhanced …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Henry Aquino (D, 19) · primary sponsor
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Kurt Fevella (R, 20)
• Mike Gabbard (D, 21)
• Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)

Latest actions

1. April 2, 2026: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2. April 1, 2026: House Conferee(s) discharged.
3. March 20, 2026: Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
4. March 20, 2026: Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
5. December 8, 2025: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
6. April 22, 2025: Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-25 3:30PM; Conference Room 329.
7. April 16, 2025: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 809).
8. April 16, 2025: Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Keohokalole Co-Chair; Hashimoto, Fevella.
9. April 15, 2025: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 731).
10. April 14, 2025: House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Matayoshi Co-Chairs; Alcos.

Votes

• Third Reading with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kapela excused (2) (April 4, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• CPC: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 2, 2025): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excu (March 21, 2025): 46 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HLT: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 19, 2025): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (March 4, 2025): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• CPN: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 20, 2025): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1279?

SB1279 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Pharmacists.

What does SB1279 do?

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

What is the status of SB1279?

Failed as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457). (April 2, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1279?

Henry Aquino (D, 19), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1279?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1279&year=2026