Protects patient residents of Kalaupapa against unwarranted, unsolicited, or unreasonable intrusions into their personal and financial affairs.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 326-1.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§326-1.3[]] Liberty, autonomy, and dignity of patient residents[.]; unwarranted intrusion. (a) In recognition of the disruptions and hardships experienced over the course of their lives by former Hansen's disease patients residing at Kalaupapa, the legislature declares its intent to ensure that all residents at Kalaupapa are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity, and are protected against unwarranted, unsolicited, or unreasonable intrusions into their personal and financial affairs and decision-making related thereto, and that the protections extended by this chapter to the patient residents at Kalaupapa are honored and upheld by the department of health to the extent possible within their purview.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department of health shall promote and protect the personal liberty, autonomy, and dignity of all patient residents at Kalaupapa[.], and shall protect them against unwarranted, unsolicited, or unreasonable intrusions into their personal and financial affairs and decision-making related thereto."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.