STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1552

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 528

       H.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 528, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MINORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow a person at least fourteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age who is not under the care, supervision, or control of a parent, custodian, or legal guardian to consent to primary medical care and services.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Family Forum, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii's Primary Care Association, Hale Kipa, Kaiser Permanente, Na Keiki Law Center, the National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, Partners in Care, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, and the Waikiki Health Center.

     Your Committee finds that without a parent or guardian's consent, health care providers are reluctant or unable to provide basic medical care to youth who are living independently, including runaways and Pacific Island minors who have moved to Hawaii on their own.  By relieving medical providers of liability for basic medical care rendered to these vulnerable children, this measure will improve access to needed services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 528, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair