| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that maternal morbidity rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world. Each year, more than fifty thousand women suffer from complications in pregnancy or childbirth that have serious consequences for the women's short- or long-term health. The legislature further finds that there are disparities in national maternal health outcomes that are not fully explained by differences in prenatal care access, socioeconomic status, or general physical health. A growing body of evidence indicates that women of color are often treated unequally and unfairly in the health care system. Studies show that implicit bias is often a key factor driving unequal treatment and poorer health outcomes for patients of color. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a perinatal implicit bias task force within the department of human services. SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of human services a perinatal implicit bias task force to examine existing implicit bias training programs and make recommendations on establishing an effective perinatal implicit bias training program. (b) The task force shall consist of: (1) A representative from the office of the governor, to be appointed by the governor; (2) A representative from the senate, to be appointed by the president of the senate; (3) A representative from the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (4) The director of health, or the director's designee; (5) The director of human services, or the director's designee; (6) A representative of the Hawaii medical board, to be appointed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs; (7) A representative from the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine; (8) A representative from the university of Hawaii college of social sciences' department of women, gender, and sexuality studies; (9) A representative from the university of Hawaii Thompson school of social work and public health's office of public health studies; and (10) A representative from each county, to be appointed by the mayor of each county. (c) The chairperson of the task force shall invite the following individuals to become members of the task force: (1) A representative from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii; (2) A representative from Na Puuwai; (3) A representative from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; (4) A representative from each health care system operating in the State, including The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, federally qualified health centers, Native Hawaiian health centers, and Tripler Army Medical Center; (5) At least one representative from an organization representing health care providers with relevant expertise on racialized or gendered health equity and disparities; and (6) Any other members, including representatives from state agencies, stakeholders, or advocates, as recommended by a majority of the task force. (d) The task force shall select a chairperson from among the members listed in subsection (b). (e) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation. (f) The task force shall: (1) Review all available research, studies, and models for decreasing implicit biases in perinatal facilities in the State; (2) Conduct or initiate new studies as it deems necessary; and (3) Create a public awareness campaign to inform state residents about implicit biases in maternal health facilities. (g) The task force may contract with a subject matter expert or consultant to conduct studies as it deems necessary for the purpose of recommending suggestions in the creation of a perinatal implicit bias training program. Any contract executed pursuant to this Act shall be exempt from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the perinatal implicit bias task force shall ensure transparency when executing the contract. (h) The task force shall submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025. (i) The task force shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than July 31, 2026. The final report shall include: (1) An analysis of the costs associated with implicit bias training programs; (2) Protocols for health care providers to address maternal health disparities; (3) A discussion of the racial, cultural, and gendered disparities associated with maternal health care; (4) Policy recommendations for decreasing implicit biases within perinatal facilities; and (5) A work plan that identifies the steps needed in the next five years to reduce implicit biases in maternal health care in the State. (j) The task force shall cease to exist on July 31, 2026. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the perinatal implicit bias task force to carry out its activities pursuant to this Act, including the hiring of a subject matter expert or consultant. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that maternal morbidity rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world. Each year, more than fifty thousand women suffer from complications in pregnancy or childbirth that have serious consequences for the women's short- or long-term health. The legislature further finds that there are disparities in national maternal health outcomes that are not fully explained by differences in prenatal care access, socioeconomic status, or general physical health. A growing body of evidence indicates that women of color are often treated unequally and unfairly in the health care system. Studies show that implicit bias is often a key factor driving unequal treatment and poorer health outcomes for patients of color. At present, the State does not require health care professionals to undergo implicit bias training. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services to develop and administer an implicit bias training program for health care professionals in the State's perinatal facilities. SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§346- Implicit bias training for perinatal facilities. (a) The department shall develop and administer an evidence-based implicit bias training program. (b) All health care professionals employed at a perinatal facility and engaged in direct patient care shall complete implicit bias training within sixty days of the enactment of this Act or sixty days of the start of employment, and an implicit bias refresher course every two years thereafter, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the department. (c) The implicit bias training program developed pursuant to this section shall include: (1) Methods of identifying the attendee's previous or current implicit biases, implicit prejudices, or implicit stereotypes; (2) Discussions of personal, interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural barriers to inclusion; (3) Discussions of the corrective measures available to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including discussions of existing policies and practices for this purpose; (4) Information on the effects of historical and contemporary exclusion and oppression on minorities and minority communities; (5) Discussions of cultural identity across racial or ethnic groups; (6) Methods of communicating more effectively across identity groups, including identity groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors; (7) Discussions of any concerns about implicit bias in the perinatal facility's power dynamics or organizational decision-making processes; (8) Discussions of health inequities within the perinatal care field, including information on the effects of implicit bias on maternal and infant health outcomes; and (9) Perspectives from diverse, local constituency groups and experts on community-specific topics related to identity, race, culture, and provider-community relations. (d) The department may offer implicit bias training to a health care professional not employed by a perinatal facility; provided that the health care professional works in the perinatal field and is involved in direct patient care. (e) Upon completion of the training and upon the health care professional's request, the department shall provide to the health care professional a certificate of implicit bias training completion." SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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