MAKING AN APPROPRIATION AS A GRANT-IN-AID TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PERSONNEL TO STAFF THE AEROMEDICAL HELICOPTER UNIT.

Appropriates $512,931 as grant-in-aid to Hawaii county for dedicated emergency medical service personnel to staff the aeromedical helicopter unit on the island of Hawaii.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG FUND.

Appropriates $200,000 for grass roots community-based anti-drug and substance abuse events in Hawaii county.

RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Requires the State to reimburse counties for issuing parking placards to persons with disabilities.

RELATING TO EXCISE TAX ON HEALTH CARE.

Exempts physician services, hospital charges, nursing services, and rehabilitation services from the county surcharge on state tax.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE COUNTIES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PARKING PLACARDS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Appropriates funds to the counties as reimbursement for expenses incurred for administering the parking placard program for persons with disabilities.

RELATING TO TORTS.

Shortens statute of limitations for medical malpractice action. Caps noneconomic damages and contingent attorney's fees awards. Permits evidence of collateral benefits. Disallows punitive damages claim in initial complaint. Permits periodic payments of future damages.

RELATING TO MEDICAL LIABILITY.

Requires the reporting of serious medical errors to the department of health and the medical facilities' patient safety committee. Requires open disclosure of serious medical errors to patients and their families. Requires medical facilities to develop a mediation model for handling serious medical errors.

RELATING TO MEDICAL LIABILITY.

Makes an apology regarding a medical error inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or an admission against interest in medical malpractice claims.

RELATING TO TORTS.

Lowers medical malpractice insurance premiums by adopting legislation that directly affects elements impacting medical malpractice insurance rates.

RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED MENTAL EXAMINATIONS.

Requires that a copy of all court-ordered mental health examinations be provided to the chief of forensics of the adult mental health division of DOH.

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Allows parents or guardians to admit individuals under the eighteen to nonemergency psychiatric treatment facilities without the consent or countersignature of the individual.