Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 740 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to statutorily establish the public health nursing services program within the Department of Health.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Child Welfare Services State Advisory Council, Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council, Parents and Children Together, Kapaa Lions Club, East Kauai Lions Club, KTA Super Stores, and twenty-two individuals. Supporting oral testimony was received from the Department of Health and Hawaii Nurses Association.

Your Committee finds that the public health nursing services program (PHN) was established by the Department of Health in 1923 to provide communicable disease control, infant welfare services, and nutrition services. Since its inception, PHN has contributed tremendously toward maintaining and improving the health of Hawaii's residents and is involved in all levels of service, including early intervention services, Felix related services, breast and cervical cancer programs, and others. Clearly, PHN has become an indispensable program for the State. Your Committee finds that this measure assures PHN's continued existence and the continued provision of nursing services to thousands around Hawaii.

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. 740 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.