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. 2473 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish statutorily the Public Health Nursing Services Program (Program) within the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH, Hawaii Government Employees Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council, Child Welfare Services State Advisory Council, Hawaii Foster Parent Association, Parents and Children Together, East Kauai Lions Club, and numerous individuals testified in support of this bill.

Your Committee finds that public health nurses provide a valuable service to the community and greatly enhance the safety and welfare of Hawaii's people. Since 1923, public health nurses have provided communicable disease control, infant welfare services, and nutrition services to the most vulnerable populations and those who have difficulty accessing the health care system. By codifying this important Program, your Committee hopes to ensure that these valuable services will continue.

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. 2473 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.