SB 2271HawaiiProcess complete

Measure would let hospitals use federal accreditation for inspections

Hospitals could show they meet Hawaii’s inspection rules through recognized accreditation or certification, and may skip inspections if they meet stated conditions.

What it does

Hospitals could use accreditation or certification from a federally recognized organization to show they meet state inspection rules. State rules may let qualifying hospitals skip inspections while their approval remains current.

The Department of Health could still inspect exempt hospitals after complaints or unfavorable accreditation findings, and could conduct periodic checks.

Survey reports and official accreditation or certification letters used to check hospital licensing compliance would be public information.

Argument forHospitals could use recognized accreditation or certification to show they meet state inspection rules and may skip inspections while meeting the stated conditions.

Argument againstExtra inspections after complaints or unfavorable accreditation findings could add work for hospitals that would otherwise qualify to skip routine inspections.

More detail

The measure would require state rules to let hospitals use accreditation or certification from a federally recognized organization to show they meet state licensing inspection requirements. This applies to hospitals seeking to meet Hawaii’s state licensing inspection requirements. Rules may let a hospital skip inspections throughout its accreditation or certification term if it gives the Department of Health a certified copy of its official report, keeps full accreditation or certification, and holds a current state license. The measure states that it would take effect July 1, 2026.

The Department of Health could inspect or investigate hospitals exempt from licensing inspections after complaints, unfavorable accreditation or certification findings, or through periodic checks. This applies to hospitals exempt from licensing inspections under state rules.

The measure would treat certain hospital survey reports and official accreditation or certification letters as public information. The records may come from an accrediting or certifying organization recognized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The records must be used to determine compliance with licensing requirements.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 15
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 8
Became LawJul 10

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 10Act 221, 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1323).Latest
2. Jul 10Act 221, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1323).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 8Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Matayoshi.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 221-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 221-26) as amended in (CD 1).
13. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 29Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 22Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).Minor
17. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Fevella.
18. Apr 20Re-referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30Minor
19. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
21. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 642).Minor
22. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
24. Apr 14Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
25. Apr 10Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2116-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 10Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26.
27. Apr 7The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
28. Apr 2Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:05PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 24Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1350-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC. Result: pass.Lower
30. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
31. Mar 20The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
34. Mar 12Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 17Minor
35. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Result: pass.Upper
36. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 203) in amended form (SD 1).Minor
37. Mar 5Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2848) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1).
38. Mar 548 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
39. Mar 2The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
40. Feb 27The committee on WAM has rescheduled its decision making to 03-02-26 10:02AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
41. Feb 23The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-02-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
42. Feb 17Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2294) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.
43. Feb 17Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.Minor
44. Feb 6The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
45. Feb 3The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 26Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
47. Jan 21Introduced and passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 15Pending Introduction.Introduced

Healthcare

Issue with this bill?

SB 2271HawaiiProcess complete

Measure would let hospitals use federal accreditation for inspections

Hospitals could show they meet Hawaii’s inspection rules through recognized accreditation or certification, and may skip inspections if they meet stated conditions.

What it does

The Department of Health could still inspect exempt hospitals after complaints or unfavorable accreditation findings, and could conduct periodic checks.

Survey reports and official accreditation or certification letters used to check hospital licensing compliance would be public information.

Argument forHospitals could use recognized accreditation or certification to show they meet state inspection rules and may skip inspections while meeting the stated conditions.

Argument againstExtra inspections after complaints or unfavorable accreditation findings could add work for hospitals that would otherwise qualify to skip routine inspections.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 15
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 14
To GovernorMay 8
Became LawJul 10

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 10Act 221, 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1323).Latest
2. Jul 10Act 221, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1323).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 8Enrolled to Governor.To Governor
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Matayoshi.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 221-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 221-26) as amended in (CD 1).
13. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 29Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 4:30PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 22Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).Minor
17. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Fevella.
18. Apr 20Re-referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30Minor
19. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
21. Apr 16Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 642).Minor
22. Apr 16Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).Minor
24. Apr 14Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
25. Apr 10Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2116-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 10Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26.
27. Apr 7The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
28. Apr 2Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:05PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 24Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1350-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC. Result: pass.Lower
30. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
31. Mar 20The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
34. Mar 12Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 17Minor
35. Mar 10Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Result: pass.Upper
36. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 203) in amended form (SD 1).Minor
37. Mar 5Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2848) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1).
38. Mar 548 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
39. Mar 2The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
40. Feb 27The committee on WAM has rescheduled its decision making to 03-02-26 10:02AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
41. Feb 23The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-02-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
42. Feb 17Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2294) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.
43. Feb 17Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.Minor
44. Feb 6The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
45. Feb 3The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 26Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
47. Jan 21Introduced and passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 15Pending Introduction.Introduced

Healthcare

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History