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 S.B. No. 2158 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health for a 24-hour Hawaii poison hotline.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health, Straub Clinic and Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Kapiolani Medical Center, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, American Academy of Pediatrics, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the 24-hour poison hotline is a vital link to the continued maintenance of the safety and well being of Hawaii's population. This program helps save lives, prevents harm from poisoning, and helps reduce overall medical expenses.

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 S.B. No. 2158 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.