Hawaii House Bill HCR26

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The State Health Planning And Development Agency And Department Of Health To Hold A Public Meeting For All Certificate Of Need Applications For Any Proposed Special Treatment Facility In Neighborhoods With Community Associations.

Impact

The proposed resolution has significant implications for state healthcare regulations and local governance. Currently, the certificate of need process lacks a public meeting requirement for applications that fall under the administrative review process. HCR26 addresses concerns from community members who feel uninformed and unable to provide input on the establishment of special treatment facilities in their neighborhoods. The resolution emphasizes the importance of transparency and public participation in the health planning process, aligning with Hawaii's Sunshine Law, which advocates for open governmental discussions and actions.

Summary

HCR26 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-Third Legislature of Hawaii in 2025. This resolution seeks to enhance the public involvement in the process of granting certificates of need for special treatment facilities within neighborhoods that have community associations. By requesting the State Health Planning and Development Agency and the Department of Health to hold a public meeting for all certificate of need applications, HCR26 aims to ensure that the voices of local community members are heard during the approval process for such facilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HCR26 represents a proactive approach to involving local communities in health facility decisions that affect them directly. By advocating for public meetings and enhanced communication between applicants and neighborhood boards, it aims to promote community engagement and transparency in healthcare planning in Hawaii.

Contention

One notable point of contention associated with HCR26 is the balance between state regulatory authority and local community input. While supporters argue that holding public meetings ensures that local residents can voice their concerns and influence decisions, opponents may view additional requirements as a potential bureaucratic hindrance that could delay the establishment of necessary healthcare facilities. The resolutions call for proposed rules that would require certificate of need applicants to present their case before neighborhood boards, which could be seen as an added step to the already complex application process.