Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 3127 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to improve the delivery of quality health care services in Hawaii by establishing direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing requirements in health care facilities.

Numerous nurses from Kaiser Permanente, Kuakini Medical Center, St. Francis Medical Center Liliha, Wahiawa General Hospital, and Wilcox Memorial Hospital, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Nurses' Association supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chapter of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi, Kaiser Permanente, and a concerned individual opposed this bill.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3127 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.