HRS §671-17

Panel members are protected from defamation lawsuits

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗

People who serve on a medical inquiry and conciliation panel cannot be sued for saying or writing something defamatory about someone involved in the case, as long as they were acting in their official role as a panel member. This protection covers their actions, decisions, and recommendations.

everyone

The statute, as written — Immunity of panel members from liability

A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.

No member of a medical inquiry and conciliation panel shall be liable in damages for libel, slander, or other defamation of character of any party to a medical inquiry and conciliation panel proceeding for any action taken or any decision, conclusion, finding, or recommendation made by the member while acting within the member's capacity as a member of a medical inquiry and conciliation panel under this part.

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.