Legislative Alert: Hawai’i Counselor Licensure and Opioid Antagonists

October 11, 2018

SB 2647: Relating to Mental Health Counselors

On July 10, 2018, Hawai'i Governor David Ige signed SB 2647, titled "Relating to Mental Health Counselors".

Introduced on January 19, 2018, by Senator Rosalyn Baker and 9 other Democrats, the bill amends the practicum experience requirements for qualification for licensure as a mental health counselor. The legislature found that the current educational requirements for application for licensure were overly specific, which prevented some otherwise qualified individuals from receiving said licensure. The purpose of this act was to amend the experience qualifications to accommodate different coursework structures, while ensuring the overall educational requirements to remain at an appropriate level.

If you operate in Hawai'i, you will definitely want to check out the new licensure qualifications.

SB 2247: Relating to Opioid Antagonists

On July 11, 2018, Governor Ige signed SB 2247, "Relating to Opioid Antagonists".

Introduced on January 19, 2018, by Senator Rosalyn Baker and 12 other Democrats, the bill authorizes pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and provide related education on opioid antagonists without the need for a written, approved collaborative agreement. This education can be provided to both individuals at risk of opioid overdoses and to family members and caregivers of those individuals.

The bill requires that pharmacists who prescribes and dispenses opioid antagonists must complete a training program related to this, as well as provide the materials and dispense the antagonists as soon as practical. It also defines what a caregiver and family member is.

Both laws became effective as of July 1, 2018.