Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 619 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to reduce the cost of workers' compensation benefits.

The bill accomplishes this by authorizing alternatives to vocational rehabilitation for injured employees, which will enable them to restore their earning capacities.

This bill also establishes parameters for the use of rehabilitation services on the employee's home island, if available, and clarifies the purpose and use of tools and equipment necessary to complete any vocational training.

The departments of Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources Development, the Building Industry of Hawaii, Argonaut Insurance, and the Hawaii Insurers Council testified in support of the bill. The International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, the International Laborers and Workers Union, and two individuals testified against the bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 619 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.