All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 0
HawaiiHB 15092025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)HouseWALLET
RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
Sponsored By: Scot Z. Matayoshi (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires employers denying a treatment plan to file a written denial with the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within seven days of receipt. Places the burden of proof on the employer to establish by a preponderance of medical evidence that the denial of the treatment plan is justified. Establishes a presumption that a denial of a treatment plan not supported by a medical opinion or relevant medical records existing at the time of denial shall be without reasonable grounds. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file a written denial within the seven-day period. Requires employers to pay the appropriate health care provider for any medical care set forth in a treatment plan that is accepted or deemed accepted. Establishes penalties for employers whom the Director found to have denied a treatment plan without reasonable grounds, frivolously, or primarily for purposes of delay, or to have failed to pay for an injured employee's medical care under an accepted treatment plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)
Workers' CompensationTreatment PlanResponsePenaltyLAB, CPC, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Workers Get Faster Treatment Plan Decisions
Beginning July 1, 2026, doctors can send workers’ compensation treatment plans by mail, fax, or secure electronic means. The employer must provide the address or fax number used. A plan is received when there is reasonable evidence it arrived. Within 10 days, the employer must file an electronic response with the state labor director, accepting the plan or objecting to it. An objection must include supporting medical evidence and a copy of the plan, with copies sent to the doctor and injured worker. A plan is deemed accepted if the employer does not file the required response materials on time. A late response brings a $1,000 fine unless the director finds good cause. After accepting a plan, the employer can object if new medical evidence supports denial. If the director finds a denial lacked reasonable grounds, was frivolous, or was mainly meant to delay, the employer must pay qualifying costs, including reasonable lawyer fees, for challenging the denial or enforcing payment. The law does not change rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that began before July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Scot Z. Matayoshi
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tina Nakada Grandinetti
Democratic • House
Greggor Ilagan
Democratic • House
Kirstin Kahaloa
Democratic • House
Darius K. Kila
Democratic • House
Lisa Kitagawa
Democratic • House
Matthias Kusch
Democratic • House
Mike Lee
Democratic • House
M.
Affiliation unavailable
Lisa Marten
Democratic • House
Dee Morikawa
Democratic • House
Ikaika Olds
Democratic • House
Gregg Takayama
Democratic • House
Adrian K. Tam
Democratic • House
David A. Tarnas
Democratic • House
Shirley Ann Templo
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 51 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/1/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/14/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2026
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2026
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC...
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 131, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1232).
6/24/2026SenateAct 131, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1232).
6/24/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor.
5/7/2026HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Matayoshi, Lee, M., Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
5/1/2026HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Keohokalole, Rhoads, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.
5/1/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 145-26) as amended in (CD 1).
5/1/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
5/1/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 145-26).
5/1/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
5/1/2026SenateConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 9:00AM in conference room 016.
4/30/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 9:00AM in conference room 016.
4/29/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 9:00AM in conference room 016.
4/28/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 9:00AM in conference room 016.
4/27/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 9:00AM in conference room 016.
4/24/2026HouseBill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 8:45AM in conference room 016.
4/23/2026HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: Elefante Chair; Keohokalole, Rhoads, Kanuha Co-Chairs; Lamosao.
4/21/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 717).
4/21/2026HouseRe-referred to LAB, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30
4/20/2026HouseHouse Conferees Appointed: Sayama, Matayoshi, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; Garcia.
4/20/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
4/20/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
4/17/2026Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
HB1509_CD1
HB1509_HD1
HB1509_HD2
HB1509_SD1
Original
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