HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	955
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 432E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§432E-   Effective communication; penalty. Any health care provider who fails to provide auxiliary aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, in order to achieve effective communication with an enrollee who has a communication disability, such as a vision, speech, or hearing disability, shall be assessed a fine by the commissioner equal to three times the cost of providing a qualified auxiliary aid or service for the length of the enrollee's interaction with the provider."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Health Care Providers; Auxiliary Aids and Services; Communication Disability

Description:

Creates penalty for health care providers who fail to provide auxiliary aids or services to patients with a communication disability.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.