# Hawaii HB 1698: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Hawaii HB 1698, RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-26 (Referred to HLT, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 1) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1698-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 1698
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-20
- Last action: 2026-01-26, Referred to HLT, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 1
- Sponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Treatment Provider, Substance Use Disorder Services, Assignment of Benefits, Anti-Assignment Clause, Enforcement, HLT, CPC, JHA
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires health insurance carriers to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance contracts from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish an annual summary. Allows providers to bring civil actions to compel payment and obtain injunctive relief, damages, interest, and attorneys' fees for violations. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires insurers to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-26: Referred to HLT, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 1 (House)
- 2026-01-21: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-20: Prefiled. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1698_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1698_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1698_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1698_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2964-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1698-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).