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HRS §326-21

Patients can work at Hansen's disease facilities

The health department may hire patients at Hansen's disease facilities to work, but only with the patient's consent. When jobs are open at these facilities, preference goes to temporary release and discharged patients who qualify. Some long-time employees get the same benefits as temporary release patients.

state agencies

The statute, as written — Employment of patients

At any facility for the care and treatment of persons with Hansen's disease, the department of health, with the consent of a patient, may employ that patient to perform labor or service. When there are vacancies in positions, classified under chapter 76, at a facility exclusively for the care and treatment of persons with Hansen's disease, employment preference shall be given to temporary release patients and discharged patients from those facilities provided that the persons so hired shall be otherwise qualified under chapter 76. Discharged patients who have been employed prior to December 30, 1960, under chapter 76 in accordance with the second paragraph of this section shall be eligible to receive the same rights and privileges as those enjoyed by temporary release patients employed under the second paragraph of this section.
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.