Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1318, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a paid leave of absence program for state or county employees who are bone marrow or organ donors.

Specifically, this measure provides that a state or county employee who is a bone marrow donor is entitled to seven days of paid leave each calendar year. Similarly, an organ donor employee is entitled to thirty days of paid leave each calendar year.

Your Committee finds this measure would encourage individuals to serve as bone marrow or organ donors, which may save lives. Currently, federal employees receive thirty and seven days paid leave for organ and bone marrow donations, respectively, under the Organ Donor Leave Act, Public Law 105-56. Twenty states have enacted laws to conform to the federal Organ Donor Leave Act. Your Committee believes that Hawaii should provide the same leave for state and county employees as received by federal employees under the Organ Donor Leave Act.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1318, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.