Hawaii Bill: HB 2199

This bill establishes a new chapter in Hawaii law to protect an individual's right to bodily autonomy and to make personal health care decisions, meaning individuals can choose to accept or refuse any health intervention, testing, treatment, or vaccine based on their personal, religious, or conscientious beliefs. It explicitly prohibits the state, its agencies, employers, businesses, schools, and other entities from denying, restricting, or imposing conditions on these rights, and prevents individuals from being denied employment, travel, education, or other benefits based on their health care choices. This protection applies even during public health emergencies, though it clarifies that parents retain the right to make decisions for their minor children. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health review and amend its rules regarding mandatory immunizations and medical procedures to comply with these new rights and requires a report to the legislature on any conflicting statutes.