Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, 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 require the Department of Education to permit the self-administration of medication by a student for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses.

This measure also would allow a student who is permitted to self-administer medication to carry an inhaler and auto-injectable epinephrine.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health, Department of Education, and American Lung Association.

Your Committee finds that asthma is the most common chronic health condition affecting Hawaii's school-aged children, with at least four children with asthma in every elementary and middle school classroom.

Your Committee further finds that poorly controlled asthma in children can lead to permanent lung damage. Controlling asthma allows the child to maintain normal activity, decrease absenteeism, reduce emergency room visits, and increase educational outcomes. This measure will help make Hawaii a safer place for students with asthma, allergies, and other chronic health conditions.

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. 2198, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.