# Hawaii SB 402: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Hawaii SB 402, RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Karl Rhoads (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-01-21 (Referred to LBT, JDC/WAM.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB402-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 402
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-14
- Last action: 2025-01-21, Referred to LBT, JDC/WAM.
- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Workers' Compensation, Disability Benefits, Death Benefits, Notice by Employer, Medical Benefits, Knowledge of Injury, LBT, JDC/WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes notice requirements for employers under Hawaii's Workers' Compensation Law. Requires employers who deny the compensability of an employee's injury to submit a written report supporting the denial to the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within a specified period. Requires employers to furnish to the injured employee up to $10,000 for medical care, services, and supplies for the period immediately following the injury and so long as reasonably needed or until the employer files a written report with the Director denying the compensability of the injury, whichever is earlier. Clarifies that failure to give an employer notice of an employee's injury does not bar a claim for compensation if any person having authority in the interest of the employer had knowledge of the injury.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-21: Referred to LBT, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-14: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB402_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB402_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB402_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB402_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [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-SB402-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).