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HRS §323-51

Bringing pets to visit patients in long-term care

This section allows household pets to visit patients in long-term care facilities. The facility decides if an animal is suitable, where visits happen, and the rules for visits. The facility may ask the pet owner for a vet's written proof of the animal's health before allowing the visit.

The statute, as written — Animal therapy

Animals of the kind commonly kept as household pets may be brought into long term health care facilities for the purpose of visiting patients therein. The institution shall determine whether an animal is suitable for visitation, the location where the visit may take place, and the policies governing the visit. At the discretion of the institution, the animal owner may be required to produce written documentation from a veterinarian attesting to the animal's good health, before visitation is permitted.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.