# Hawaii HB 2209: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Hawaii HB 2209, RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-06 (The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2209-2026
- 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 2209
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-26
- Last action: 2026-02-06, The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
- Sponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 17
- 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
- Cosponsor: Terez Amato (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Cory M. Chun (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Tina Nakada Grandinetti (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Greggor Ilagan (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: Tyson K. Miyake (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Gregg Takayama (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jenna Takenouchi (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Adrian K. Tam (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: David A. Tarnas (Democratic), House

## Actions (5)

- 2026-02-06: The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. (House)
- 2026-02-03: Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 02-06-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-01-30: Referred to HLT, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 5 (House)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-26: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2209_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2209_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2209_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2209_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [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 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 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [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-HB2209-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).