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. 2469 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to expand the authority of the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct criminal history record checks of potential employees and service providers who will be in direct contact with clients when providing non-witness direct mental health services.

DOH testified in support of this bill. The Attorney General supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that DOH is only authorized to conduct criminal history record checks on certain potential employees and service providers. There is a need for consistency, particularly because the Hawaii State Hospital Settlement Agreement requires that the hospital "foster a culture of safety that is committed to zero tolerance for any abuse and neglect of patients by staff."

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. 2469 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Employment.