Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1163 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require ambulance service providers licensed by the State to establish and maintain an alcohol and substance abuse policy that meets or exceeds the safety and health standards established by the federal Department of Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.

The Department of Health, Honolulu Emergency Services Department, Honolulu Paramedic Association, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.

Your Committee finds that personnel in safety-sensitive positions in three of the four public safety agencies in the City and County of Honolulu (C&C)--police, fire, and water safety--have provisions in their contracts with the C&C for drug and alcohol testing. However, there is no such provision for Honolulu Emergency Services personnel. Moreover, all ambulance service providers on the islands of Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii have alcohol and substance abuse programs in place.

In addition, your Committee finds that implementing a drug and alcohol policy will benefit the health and safety of Hawaii's residents and visitors, while the fiscal impact on the State will be minimal compared to the benefits of such a policy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1163 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.