Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1884 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health (DOH) for the Hawaii Poison Hotline (Hotline).

The American Academy of Pediatrics, Kapiolani Medical Center, Straub Clinic and Hospital, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported this measure. DOH supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee finds that the Hotline receives 12,000 calls a year and provides an invaluable service to the people of Hawaii. The Hotline facilitates early management of poison cases by:

1. Providing the general public with 24-hour access to a poison prevention network; and
2. Providing hospitals and other healthcare providers with professional toxicology consultative services, 24-hours a day, at no charge.

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 H.B. No. 1884 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.