STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3313

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2158
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred H.B. No. 2158, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify that medical
equipment and supplies are considered covered expenses under the
personal injury protection benefits of the State's no-fault
insurance law.

     Testimony on the measure was received from the Department of
Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii,
the Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association,
and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association.

     Your Committee finds that medical equipment and supplies
should be covered by personal injury protection benefits under
section 431:10C-103.5, HRS, as they are medical products and
contribute to the recovery of the injured party.

     Your Committee believes that the measure sufficiently
clarifies the intent of the existing personal injury protection
law to ensure that medical equipment and supplies are considered
a covered expense.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3313
                                   Page 2


purpose of H.B. No. 2158, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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