STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1941

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1004

      S.D. 2

      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 S.B. No. 1004, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase access to mental health care by establishing requirements under which qualified, licensed psychologists practicing at federally qualified health centers may prescribe certain types of psychotropic medication under the general supervision of a medical doctor.

     The Disability and Communication Access Board, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Molokai Community Health Center, Community Clinic of Maui, Hamakua Health Center, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, American Psychological Association, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Board of Medical Examiners, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, National Alliance on Mental Illness – Oahu, Hawaii Society of Addiction Medicine, and numerous concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Department of Health, Board of Psychology, and American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Hawaii Chapter submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

     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 S.B. No. 1004, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1004, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair