STAND. COM. REP. NO.  530

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1047

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1047, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to include marriage and family therapy among the mental illness, alcohol, and drug dependence benefits required under the hospital and medical coverage offered under accident and sickness insurance policies and similar insurance products. 

     Bobby Benson Center, Argosy University, Mental Health Kokua, Hale Ipu Kukui Alaka'i, Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health America of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed this bill.  A concerned individual submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will increase access to important mental health services provided by marriage and family therapists.  However, your Committee notes that concerns were raised regarding the requirement that DCCA submit reports on the economic impact of providing coverage for marriage and family therapists as specified in this bill. 

     Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the provision requiring DCCA to submit reports on the economic impacts of providing coverage for marriage and family therapists; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     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 H.B. No. 1047, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1047, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair