Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB3025: Relating to Medical Debt.
Status: Signed into law, July 10, 2026
Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop, implement, and administer a Medical Debt Acquisition and Forgiveness Program to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for certain individuals in the State beginning with the medical debt of the 50,016 Hawaii residents that has already been acquired by medical debt and consolidation organizations. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to medical debt.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that medical debt has become a widespread issue in the State. According to a 2022 report from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, more than one in twenty adults in the State have outstanding medical debt on their credit report. In states and cities that have acquired and forgiven unpaid medical debt, most of the forgiven debt was owed by those with health insurance, further suggesting that despite many families in the State having health insurance coverage, inability to pay medical debt is a serious problem. The legislature further finds that medical debt is a social determinant of health as patients with burdensome medical debt often delay the care they need, may experience issues obtaining employment and housing, have difficulty escaping poverty, and experience increased mental stress. The legislature also finds and declares that the appropriation in this Act is in the public interest and for the public health, safety, and general welfare of the State. Due to 2026-2507 SB3025 GDI SMA-l.docx Page 2 S.B. NO. C.D. a rising cost of living and a health care system built on a for-profit model, many families are never able to repay medical debt. The legislature recognizes that due to the significant amount of outstanding debt owed to hospitals and …
Sponsors
- Chris Lee (D, 25) · primary sponsor
- Jarrett Keohokalole (D, 24)
Latest actions
- : Act 220, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1322).
- : Act 220, 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1322).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 205-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 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; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1) (May 6, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Representative(s) Garcia. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (April 14, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Medical Debt, Housing, Appropriations, Counties, Insurance, Reports
Common questions
- What is SB3025?
- SB3025 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Medical Debt.
- What does SB3025 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to medical debt.
- What is the status of SB3025?
- Signed into law as of July 10, 2026. Latest action: Act 220, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1322). (July 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB3025?
- Chris Lee (D, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB3025?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3025&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.