We are trying a new series – dedicating an article page to each state we serve in for the year and using it as a mini-blog. We’ll post updates on laws and court cases here as we have them. This here is Alaska.
Content Note: we talk about anti-trans legislation.
The Hawaii State Legislature
At the Hawaii State Legislature webpage, you can:
- Find your legislators and contact them
- track bills
- submit testimony
- sign up for hearing notifications
Two Hawaii legislature caucuses (that we know of) are working on LGBTQ+ issues: the Equality Caucus and the Stonewall Caucus. Note: the Hawaii legislature is Democrat-controlled and likelihood of discriminatory bills passing is low.
September, 2024
As of September, 2024, we are sad to announce that we will not be able to continue prescribing testosterone in Hawai’i. Hawai’i state regulations require an in-person visit for all testosterone prescriptions: both first prescriptions and refills. While it has been a privilege to provide care for people seeking testosterone in Hawai’i, our current volume of work there does not support the cost of travel.
We continue to see folx interested in other medications, including puberty blockers, estrogen, bicalutamide, raloxifene, spironolactone, dutasteride, finasteride, and contraceptives. Let us know if you have any questions! Thank you for letting us be a part of your care.
July 2024 – Pop UP for in-person prescribing in Honolulu.
July 25th – we’ll be at HI SIS in Honolulu.
March 14, 2024
Hawaii HB 2079 has passed the House and crossed over to the Senate, but if it isn’t scheduled for a committee meeting by March 18th, it will die this session.
If you have a Hawaii ZIPcode, please send a message to the chairs of the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection Committees:
Senator San Buenaventura, Chair of the Senate’s Health and Human Services: sensanbuenaventura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Keohokalole Chair of the Senate’s Commerce and Consumer Protection: senkeohokalole@capitol.hawaii.gov
Suggested text:
Subject Line: Requesting a Hearing for HB 2079 – RELATING TO HEALTH
Aloha Chair San Buenaventura, and Chair Keohokalole,
I am writing to you today to respectfully ask that you give HB 2079 a hearing.
HB 2079 seeks to allow telehealth prescriptions as part of gender-affirming health care services, which would greatly benefit lesser served communities in our islands. The bill also expands the protections for our residents and health care providers from out of state laws and court actions targeting transgender healthcare.
HB 2079 is needed in the Aloha State to protect our beloved transgender community members, ‘ohana, and health care professionals that provide gender-affirming care. Our youth deserve nothing less.
Mahalo nui loa,
INSERT YOUR NAME & ZIPCode
After doing that if you have time and want to do some more – PLEASE call their office and ask that they give HB 2079 a hearing. If you get voicemail leave a message – stating your name and City. Remember to smile while talking to the staffer or if leaving a voicemail.
Senator San Buenaventura – 808-586-6890
Senator Keohokalole – 808-587-7215
February 13, 2024
There will be another House legislative hearing on HB2079 (GOOD BILL! tomorrow, 2/14, at 2 pm Hawaii time.) This bill would allow telemedicine prescribing of testosterone in Hawaii and open up much greater access for trans folks. It also makes Hawaii a shield state.
OUR HAWAII POP UP on February 27, 2024
There is still time to get an appointment for our Hawaii Pop-up on 2/27/24. Please request an introductory appointment with us via the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page.
February 1, 2024
HB2079 (GOOD BILL!) received a recommendation to pass with amendments in committee today.
HB2079 would ease telehealth prescribing restrictions for scheduled medications (testosterone!) in Hawaii and remove the current requirement to have an in-person visit. It also establishes Hawaii as a shield state for youth.
What would make this bill even better? Don’t make gender affirming care an exception. Consider expanding prescribing rules for other scheduled medications used in mental health (such as stimulants for ADHD) and addiction medicine (such as buprenorphine.)
ACTION: Contact your legislator and express your support.
January 29, 2024
Urgent Call To Action: Support Increased Access to Gender Affirming Care via Telehealth in Hawaii
A GOOD bill will be heard in committee on Wed the 31st; testimony is due by the 30th at 8:30 am Hawaii time. Testimony may be submitted after this deadline, but it might not be included in the committee meeting.
Bill would relax the prescribing rules for some controlled substances, including testosterone, so that T could be prescribed via telehealth. Please consider submitting testimony on the bill:
HB2079 https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2079
Suggested text:
Aloha Chair Belatti, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and members of the committee.
I am writing in strong support of HB2079. This bill contains several important provisions and protections that will serve to advance access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii, as well as protect individuals who receive gender-affirming care in Hawaii from malicious prosecution or potentially separating a child from their parent(s)/guardian(s) due to a child to receive gender-affirming care in our state.
First, this bill would provide better access to gender-affirming care via telehealth than is currently available today. State law currently requires a face-to-face patient-physician relationship be established before certain gender-affirming medications can be prescribed via telehealth. Telehealth has grown in prominence in recent years and its value is better realized, particularly among more rural parts of our island state where access to care/providers is limited. Relaxing the prescribing requirements for certain medications when prescribed for the purposes of gender-affirming care would be a huge boost for Hawaii’s access to this care.
Further, this bill would help prevent the release of information related to gender-affirming care to other states that have enacted laws restricting the ability of their residents to obtain gender-affirming care, and it would help ensure that Hawaii does not support separating a child from their parent(s)/guardian(s) who “allow” their child to receive gender-affirming care in our state.
Hawaii continues to lead the nation by example when it comes to gender-affirming care rights and protections, and I urge you to pass this legislation.
January 26, 2024
The ACLU is tracking nine bills in Hawaii:
Five are sports segregation bills:
- H.B. 2708 – introduced, referred to committee
- H.B. 2731 – introduced, referred to committee
- H.B. 1740 – introduced, referred to committee
- H.B. 508 – carried over from 2023
- S.B. 1429 – carried over from 2023
H.B. 1715 – School forced outing bill; introduced in the House, referred to committee.
- Grants parents/legal guardians the right to know
- if a youth requests to change gender markers, pronouns or name or to use accommodations including locker rooms and bathrooms
- if the school allows trans youth to participate in athletic programs associated with their gender
- if any employee or contractor treats, advises, or addresses the child about
- cyberbullying of a student
- bullying or hazing a student
- a student’s mental health, suicidal ideation, or instances of self-harm
- a specific threat to the safety of a student
- possession or use of drugs or other controlled substances
- an eating disorder
- Requires written parental/guardian permission for any medical procedure, service, or drug
H.B. 509 – Censorship of Education, new parental rights; introduced and referred to committee.
S.B. 1428 – Senate version.
- School board must adopt procedures for notifying parents/legal guardian if there is a change in teh studen’ts services or monitoring related to mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being
- Requires school to encourage the student to discuss issues with parents/guardians or facilitate such discussion
- May not prohibit parent/guardian from accessing any education/health records
- May not adopt procedures that prohibit school personnel from notifying parent/guardian about mental, physical, or emotional health or any policy that might encourage a youth not to discuss with parent/guardian unless disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect
- No instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade or in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate
- Will inform parents/guardians at the start of the school year of all health services available to youth and allow parents to refuse consent.
- Gives parent/legal guardian right to sue and receive damages
H.B. 891 – Youth Healthcare Ban; carried over from 2023 and referred to committee
- Bans gender affirming treatment, including blockers and hormones, and surgical procedures to any person under age 18 if the purpose is “to change or affirm the child’s perception of the child’s sex if that perception is inconsistent with the child’s sex”
- Establishes gender affirming care as a Class A Felony
- Would go into effect immediately upon approval
Related QueerDoc Articles:
- Tracking Legislation In 2024 And Not Burning Out
- Tracking Anti-Trans Legislation (2021 article with citations)
