CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 67

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1281

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1281, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to extend the sunset date of Act 107, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, which allows for the reimbursement of services provided through telehealth via an interactive telecommunications system, until December 31, 2027.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the use and expansion of telehealth services and technology in the State have been recognized as ways to increase timely access to health care, particularly in rural areas of the State. Your Committee on Conference further finds that Act 107, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023 (Act 107), temporarily allows for the reimbursement of services provided through an interactive telecommunication system and two‑way, real-time audio-only communications for telehealth purposes, supporting numerous telehealth initiatives in the State that are successfully improving access to care in various settings. Your Committee on Conference additionally finds that Act 107 is slated to be repealed on December 31, 2025. This measure extends the sunset date of Act 107 by two years to ensure a continuum of care for residents in rural communities and to allow the State the opportunity to adjust to any new federal policies that may be implemented before permanently codifying Act 107.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2025.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1281, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1281, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO Chair
____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Co-Chair
____________________________ SUE L. KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY Co-Chair