Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2296 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make housekeeping amendments to chapter 457-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, regarding licensure of nurses.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Nursing. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the measure from the Hawaii Nurses Association.

Your Committee finds that the nursing shortage in Hawaii is detrimental to public health and safety. In order to encourage more nurses to work in Hawaii and ensure that a high level of professional skill is maintained in the field, the nursing licensing regulations need to be clarified and up-dated. Although the Hawaii Nurses Association submitted testimony in opposition, your Committee understands that upon further discussions between the Board of Nursing and Hawaii Nurses Association, both groups agree to the amendments proposed herein.

Your Committee has amended the effective date of this measure to allow the Board of Nursing time to adopt rules in accordance with chapters 91 and 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, regarding continuing education for nurses as alternative proof of continuing competency.

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. 2296, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2296, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing.