Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 40 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize a minor's caregiver to be able to provide consent for health care services for the minor, and to establish requirements for a caregiver consent affidavit.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Kokua Council, Na Tutu – Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, The Queen's Medical Center, and four individuals.

Your Committees find that difficulties can arise when grandparents or other caregivers try to obtain non-emergency medical care, absent documentation of legal guardianship. Research shows that early preventative medical services and follow-up is best for the health of children, and also eliminates or reduces the use of emergency medical services. Your Committees believe that if a minor's caregiver is able to provide written consent to health care services for a minor, it will result in better health of the minor and prevent later emergency, and possibly more costly, medical care.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 40 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.