# Hawaii HB 1865: RELATING TO STAFFING STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Hawaii HB 1865, RELATING TO STAFFING STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Sean Quinlan (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-26 (Introduced and Pass First Reading.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1865-2026
- 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 1865
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO STAFFING STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-23
- Last action: 2026-01-26, Introduced and Pass First Reading.
- Sponsor: Sean Quinlan (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 18
- Subjects: DLIR, Center for Nursing, Hospitals, Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committee, Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plan, Nurse-to-Patient Ratio, Civil Penalties, Appeals, Rules, Appropriations, HLT/LAB, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires each hospital to establish a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committee by 9/1/2026. Requires the Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Committee Charter with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations by 1/1/2027. Requires the Department to develop a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plan Form by 1/1/2027. Requires each Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Plan, including minimum registered nurse staffing standards, with the Department by 7/1/2027, and annually thereafter. Requires hospitals to implement their Staffing Plan by 7/1/2027, and post the Staffing Plan and staffing schedules in publicly accessible areas. Requires Staffing Committees to receive, review, evaluate, and respond to reports and complaints regarding deviations from the Staffing Plan. Establishes a variance process allowing hospitals to temporarily deviate from their minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Establishes an enforcement framework to be administered by the Department, including review of Staffing Plans, complaint investigations, administrative appeals, and civil penalties for violations. Prohibits retaliation against certain persons who report staffing concerns or participate in enforcement proceedings. Increases the membership of the Center for Nursing Advisory Board to include three elected officers or governing board members of a labor organization representing registered nurses in the State. Requires the Center for Nursing to develop and maintain an online dashboard of staffing standards recommended by certain professional specialty organizations. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Sean Quinlan (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Terez Amato (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Tina Nakada Grandinetti (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mark J. Hashem (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Ikaika Hussey (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Greggor Ilagan (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jeanne Kapela (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY
- Cosponsor: Darius K. Kila (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lisa Marten (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Ikaika Olds (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: David A. Tarnas (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Chris Todd (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Justin H. Woodson (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-26: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-26: Referred to HLT/LAB, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2 (House)
- 2026-01-23: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1865_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1865_.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/HB1865_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1865_.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-HB1865-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).