Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2198, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Health, Department of Education, Hawaii Government Employees Association, and Windward Oahu Asthma Coalition.

Your Committee finds that asthma is the most common chronic health condition affecting Hawaii's school-aged children. In Hawaii, there are at least four children with asthma in every elementary and middle school classroom. Self-administration of medication as prescribed by a physician optimizes the benefits of pharmacotherapy in preventing, controlling, or relieving symptoms associated with asthma or other chronic conditions. Poorly controlled asthma in children can lead to permanent lung damage. Preventing the exacerbation of symptoms may allow the child to maintain normal activity, decrease absenteeism (child and parent), reduce emergency room visits, and increase educational outcomes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2198, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.