STAND. COM. REP. 3098
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2004
RE: H.B. No. 2198
H.D. 1
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:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL HEALTH,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Require the Department of Education to permit the self-administration of medication by a student for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses; and
(2) Allow a student who is permitted to self-administer medication to carry an inhaler and auto-injectable epinephrine.
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.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair |
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