Requires and appropriates funds for the State Health Planning and Development Agency to develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss. (CD1), the official text

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1974

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

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

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that hearing loss is a
significant public health concern that affects individuals of all ages, from
keiki to kupuna.  National and
state-level data indicate that tens of thousands of Hawaii residents experience
some degree of hearing loss, including many who report serious hearing
difficulty or deafness.  Hearing loss becomes
increasingly common with age, affecting roughly one-third of adults in their
sixties, a majority of adults in their seventies, and most adults in their eighties.

The legislature further finds that
despite the prevalence of hearing loss, it remains widely underdiagnosed and
undertreated.  Although newborn hearing
screenings are in place, Hawaii lacks a coordinated statewide approach to
screening and follow-up for school-age children and adults.  Primary care providers often receive limited
training and reimbursement incentives to screen for hearing loss, hearing aids
and assistive devices remain prohibitively expensive for many residents, and
pathways to diagnosis and treatment are frequently fragmented and difficult to
navigate.  Untreated hearing loss
increases risk of cognitive decline and dementia, falls, social isolation and
mental health issues, reduced workforce participation, caregiver burden, and
costly institutional care.  There is
critical need for a coordinated statewide strategy to address these medical,
social, educational, and economic impacts.

The purpose of this Act is to
require the state health planning and development agency to develop a
comprehensive state plan on hearing loss focused on improving access,
affordability, awareness, and early detection of hearing loss in collaboration
with community stakeholders, relevant advisory boards, and state agencies.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

"§323D-   State
plan on hearing loss.  (a)
The state agency shall develop and publish a state plan on hearing
loss.  The state plan on hearing loss
shall include but not be limited to:

(1)  An assessment
of current policies, efforts, and initiatives addressing hearing loss in the State;

(2)  Epidemiological
data on hearing loss in the State, including prevalence by age group,
geographic area, and socioeconomic status;

(3)  An analysis of
public awareness and social perception of hearing loss;

(4)  The identification
of gaps in screening and early detection for school-age children, adults, and the
elderly;

(5)  Information on
access to care and treatment, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and
audiological services;

(6)  Information on
workforce development and training for primary care providers, educators, and
hearing health professionals;

(7)  The identification of associated
health concerns, including cognitive decline, dementia, mental health impacts,
fall risk, and communication barriers;

(8)  Recommendations
for improving access to services, the affordability of assistive technologies,
and the availability of communication supports, including state policy
suggestions; and

(9)  Recommendations
for pilot or demonstration projects to expand hearing screening, tele-audiology
access, and community-based outreach.

(b)  In developing the state plan on hearing loss,
the state agency may consult with pertinent stakeholders, including:

(1)  Community-based
organizations serving individuals with hearing loss;

(2)  Health care
providers, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists; and

(3)  Individuals
experiencing hearing loss.

(c)  The state agency shall publish and submit an
initial state plan on hearing loss to the legislature no later than twenty days
prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

(d)  No later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session of 2029 and each odd-numbered regular session
thereafter, the state agency shall submit an update report on the state plan on
hearing loss covering the most recently completed fiscal biennium.  The update report shall include information
on progress made toward the goals of the state plan on hearing loss.  In addition, each update report shall
include:

(1)  An
implementation work plan specifying the tasks, timelines, and milestones for
each goal;

(2)  Efforts taken
by the State to achieve the goals and strategies identified in the most recent
state plan on hearing loss;

(3)  Recommendations
for state policy, program development, or legislation relating to hearing loss
and communication access; and

(4)  A review of
services and initiatives coordinated among public and private agencies to meet
the needs of individuals with hearing loss and their families."

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the state health planning and
development agency to develop and publish the state plan on hearing loss,
including:

(1)  Coordinating the
development of the state plan on hearing loss through project management and
interagency collaboration;

(2)  Engaging stakeholders
statewide, including kupuna, health care providers, educators, and
community-based organizations, to identify needs, gaps, and opportunities;

(3)  Consulting with
experts and technical advisors in hearing health, aging, and disability
services to inform plan recommendations; and

(4)  Drafting,
reviewing, and publishing the state plan on hearing loss for submission to the
legislature.

The sum appropriated shall be
expended by the state health planning and development agency for the purposes
of this Act.

SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.