House committee advances broad package on workers’ compensation, education safety, language access and emergency management

The House Committee on Labor met Feb. 17, 2026, in Conference Room 309 and advanced a broad set of measures on workers’ compensation, education worker safety, language access, early‑learning pathways and emergency management.

The committee passed multiple workers’ compensation bills with technical and policy amendments aimed at clarifying reimbursement, provider selection and administration. Chair read into the record adopted edits that, among other changes, strike specified fee language, give the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) discretion to determine employer good cause and add cross‑references from HB 2323 into other measures. “We stand in support of the intention of the bill and respectfully request amendments,” said DLIR representative Joanne Fidenhar during testimony on the package.

Members debated the scope of limitations on over‑the‑counter drugs under HB 1648. DLIR warned a blanket prohibition could “unintentionally restrict medically appropriate care” and requested targeted amendments; Solera Integrated Medical’s Chris Catziwila opposed the bill, arguing it “runs contrary to HRS 453‑1,” and warned the measure could limit physicians’ prescribing authority. The committee adopted amendments and passed the measure with the stated intent to preserve appropriate care while addressing excessive charges.

Education bills drew sustained attention. On HB 1825 (teacher emergency‑hire provisions), the Department of Education supported the bill’s intent but asked to retain discretionary “may” language for emergency hires and to remove a new rule requirement. The Hawaii Teachers Standards Board opposed changes that would make emergency permits the norm instead of an exception, noting the three‑year limit was intentional to ensure candidates pursue approved teacher‑education programs.

HB 1888, addressing the safety of educational workers, prompted a sharp exchange over the bill’s amended harassment definition. The attorney general’s office recommended clarifying revisions and removing the word “legal” from the phrase “legal advocate” to avoid the unauthorized practice of law. Susan Rocco, staff to the Special Education Advisory Council, said the council opposed post‑committee amendments that would expand harassment to include disrupting school administration, warning that the language could criminalize protected advocacy: “We strongly believe it does not rise to the level of a misdemeanor, which could include almost a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.” Supporters, including classroom and school employees, urged protections against repeated threats and stalking. Inger Stonehill urged the measure’s passage, describing repeated threats and harassment and calling for clear reporting, data collection and deterrents.

The committee also advanced HB 2005 to codify language access as a permanent program, HB 1872 to create an early‑learning apprenticeship grant program, HB 2416 to expand maritime youth apprenticeship pathways, and HB 2292 to transition 82 special project AE2 positions within HIEMA—with amendments clarifying transition timelines and protections for incumbent employees.

Decision and votes: the committee reconvened for decision‑making and adopted a series of amendments before voting. For HB 1509 the committee voted to pass with amendments; Chair and Vice Chair were recorded as voting aye, and Representatives Garrett, Campella, Khan and Rayzoning each answered “Aye” when called. Multiple other measures were recommended to pass with amendments or as‑is; several actions recorded “Recommendation has been adopted” without a full roll‑call recorded on the transcript. The committee deferred HB 2358 to the Feb. 19, 2026, hearing.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - HB 1509 (workers’ compensation): passed with amendments; roll call recorded with Chair and Vice Chair aye; Representatives Garrett, Campella, Khan and Rayzoning responded “Aye.” - HB 1514, HB 1515, HB 1648, HB 2164, HB 2323 (workers’ compensation/statutory cleanup): passed with amendments (committee adopted DLIR/DHEARD technical and substantive edits). Vote details: recommendation adopted (transcript did not show full roll‑call for each). - HB 1825 (teacher emergency‑hire): passed with amendments adopting DOE suggested changes to preserve discretionary language and technical edits. - HB 1888 (safety of educational workers): passed with amendments adopting AG clarifying language, removing subsection G that would have expanded harassment to broadly include disruption; committee noted concerns and adopted DOE clarifications on leave and charter‑school references. - HB 2005 (language access): passed with amendments to codify a permanent program in HRS Chapter 304A. - HB 1872 (early‑learning apprenticeship grant): passed as‑is. - HB 2416 (maritime youth apprenticeship): passed as‑is. - HB 2292 (HIEMA special projects positions): passed with amendments clarifying 30% conversion and a July 2031 civil‑service completion target for identified positions. - HB 2358 (retirement): deferred to 02/19/2026 for further consideration.

What matters: the committee packaged multiple, related workers’ compensation bills together, incorporating cross‑references and DLIR‑sponsored amendments to streamline statutory language and to limit unintended effects on clinical decision‑making. Education measures revealed a fault line between protections for staff facing threats and advocates concerned about expanding criminal harassment definitions; the chair removed the most expansive subsection after testimony and adopted AG and DOE clarifications. Several workforce development bills moved forward with bipartisan support.

Next steps: passed measures will proceed through the legislative process as amended; HB 2358 will be considered on Feb. 19, 2026. The committee record includes written testimony from insurer groups, medical associations, unions, education organizations and many individuals that will supplement the hearing record.

Quotes from the hearing: “We stand in support of the intention of the bill and respectfully request amendments.” — Joanne Fidenhar, standing for DLIR (testimony on workers’ compensation). “We strongly believe it does not rise to the level of a misdemeanor, which could include almost a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.” — Susan Rocco, staff to the Special Education Advisory Council (opposing post‑committee amendments to HB 1888). “This is not just a Hawaii problem … we just want it to be, with clear guidelines, data reporting, and misdemeanor to try to deter community members or parents from going too far.” — Inger Stonehill (testimony supporting HB 1888).