Hawaii Senate Bill SB695

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To Ambulances.

Summary

SB695 would require the Hawaii Department of Health to mandate front- and rear-facing cameras on every ground ambulance. The stated purpose of the cameras is to record incidents involving drivers who violate traffic laws related to yielding to emergency vehicles and passing stopped emergency vehicles, specifically the statutes referenced in sections 291C-65 and 291C-128 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The bill also includes an appropriation from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover the cost of equipping ground ambulances with the required camera systems. The Department of Health would be responsible for expending those funds and implementing the equipment requirement. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Impact

If enacted, SB695 would add a new section to chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, creating a statutory equipment requirement for ground ambulances statewide. It would expand the Department of Health’s regulatory responsibilities over ambulance equipment and create a new state-funded program for purchasing and installing camera systems on ambulances. The bill would directly affect ambulance operators, emergency medical services providers, and the Department of Health, while also potentially supporting enforcement of traffic laws protecting emergency responders.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available record does not show formal debate or a documented vote pattern. The bill’s framing suggests a public-safety rationale focused on protecting emergency responders and documenting traffic violations around ambulances. Overall, the measure appears to be presented as a safety and enforcement tool rather than a controversial policy change, though the appropriation and equipment mandate imply implementation costs for the state.

Contention

No committee discussion or voting history was provided, so no specific objections or supporters can be identified from the record. The most likely areas of contention would be the cost of outfitting all ground ambulances, privacy or data-retention concerns related to recording cameras, and whether the Department of Health should bear responsibility for administering the requirement. Any opposition would likely come from budget-conscious stakeholders or ambulance providers concerned about compliance costs and operational burdens.