HB 1973HawaiiProcess complete

Health department would provide in-home care through KupunAloha

If approved and funded as written, Hawaii's Department of Health would offer in-home care through KupunAloha to eligible people who lack other assistance.

What it does

KupunAloha would offer in-home health care and support to people who lack other government help and cannot afford these services. Medicare enrollees would not qualify.

The Department of Health would receive up to $2 million for KupunAloha during fiscal year 2026–2027, subject to the amount actually needed.

The Department of Health would review KupunAloha and tell lawmakers whether to make it permanent before the 2027 legislative session.

Argument forPeople who cannot afford in-home care and do not qualify for other assistance could receive a care plan and referrals through the program.

Argument againstThe program may serve fewer people than need help because the department would control income and need rules, while funding is capped at up to $2 million.

More detail

The Department of Health would run the KupunAloha program and create a care plan for each eligible applicant. The program would serve people who need in-home health care or support, do not qualify for government assistance for those services, and cannot otherwise afford them. The department would set the program's income and need requirements. People covered by Medicare would not qualify. The department could refer eligible applicants to health care providers and could contract with providers under chapter 103F. The bill states that these provisions would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The state would set aside up to $2 million for KupunAloha during fiscal year 2026–2027. The money would go to the Department of Health for the KupunAloha program. The amount may be less than $2 million if less is needed. The money would be spent only for the purposes stated in the bill. The funding would apply to fiscal year 2026–2027.

The Department of Health would report to the legislature on KupunAloha's effectiveness and recommend ways to improve it. The report would cover the program's efficiency and whether it should become permanent. The report would be due no later than 20 days before the 2027 regular session begins.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed HouseMar 5
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 246, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1348).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 246, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1348).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.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 were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
9. 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) McKelvey, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 176-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 176-26).
13. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:45PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 4:00PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 27Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 3:45PM in conference room 329.
17. Apr 23Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).Minor
18. Apr 22Senate Conferees Appointed: McKelvey Chair; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Fevella.
19. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. 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. Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 647) in amended form (SD 1).
25. Apr 10Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3705) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 8The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-08-26 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
29. Mar 25Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3194) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
30. Mar 25Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
31. Mar 20The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
32. Mar 17The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
33. Mar 10Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
34. Mar 6Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 69).Minor
35. Mar 6Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 5Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 840-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
37. Mar 5Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
38. Feb 27The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
39. Feb 24Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-27-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
40. Feb 18Reported from HLT/HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 343-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
42. Feb 6The 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; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 6The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
44. Feb 3Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT/HSH on Friday, 02-06-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
45. Jan 28Referred to HLT/HSH, FIN, referral sheet 3Minor
46. Jan 26Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
47. Jan 23Pending introduction.Introduced

HealthcareDisability RightsTaxes & Budget

Issue with this bill?

HB 1973HawaiiProcess complete

Health department would provide in-home care through KupunAloha

If approved and funded as written, Hawaii's Department of Health would offer in-home care through KupunAloha to eligible people who lack other assistance.

What it does

KupunAloha would offer in-home health care and support to people who lack other government help and cannot afford these services. Medicare enrollees would not qualify.

The Department of Health would receive up to $2 million for KupunAloha during fiscal year 2026–2027, subject to the amount actually needed.

The Department of Health would review KupunAloha and tell lawmakers whether to make it permanent before the 2027 legislative session.

Argument forPeople who cannot afford in-home care and do not qualify for other assistance could receive a care plan and referrals through the program.

Argument againstThe program may serve fewer people than need help because the department would control income and need rules, while funding is capped at up to $2 million.

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 23
Passed HouseMar 5
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 246, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1348).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 246, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1348).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.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 were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
9. 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) McKelvey, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 176-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 176-26).
13. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:45PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 4:00PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 27Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 3:45PM in conference room 329.
17. Apr 23Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).Minor
18. Apr 22Senate Conferees Appointed: McKelvey Chair; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Fevella.
19. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Marten, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. 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. Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 647) in amended form (SD 1).
25. Apr 10Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3705) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
26. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 8The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-08-26 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
29. Mar 25Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3194) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
30. Mar 25Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
31. Mar 20The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
32. Mar 17The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
33. Mar 10Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
34. Mar 6Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 69).Minor
35. Mar 6Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 5Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 840-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
37. Mar 5Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
38. Feb 27The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
39. Feb 24Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-27-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
40. Feb 18Reported from HLT/HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 343-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
42. Feb 6The 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; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 6The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
44. Feb 3Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT/HSH on Friday, 02-06-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
45. Jan 28Referred to HLT/HSH, FIN, referral sheet 3Minor
46. Jan 26Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
47. Jan 23Pending introduction.Introduced

HealthcareDisability RightsTaxes & Budget

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What it does

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Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

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More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History