Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 122, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to enhance patient safety by expanding the scope of information in medical peer review committees and similar proceedings that is protected from discovery. Specifically, this measure defines and adds "case review forums" to the proceedings where information is protected from discovery.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Kaiser Permanente, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and a concerned individual. Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii supported the intent of this bill with amendments.

Your Committee finds that this measure allows physicians and other clinical staff to freely report systemic problems without fear of blame or reprisal, in forums that are designed to use this information to improve medical procedures and systems for the benefit of patients.

Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made to this bill for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 122, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 122, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.