Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 29, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that substance abuse treatment be provided by qualified providers rather than certified substance abuse staff, and to define a qualified provider for the purposes of this treatment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Nurses' Association, and Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association. One individual submitted testimony in opposition. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that this measure is similar to S.B. No. 1128, which was passed previously by this Committee, with amendments. As the provisions of this measure are contained in S.B. No. 1128, S.D.1, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and replacing them with language to provide that the salary of the chief deputy insurance commissioner shall be no less than ninety-five per cent of the maximum salary of the commissioner.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 29, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 29, S.D. 2.