HB2141

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that infection with sexually transmitted human papillomavirus is common in adult populations worldwide. Research suggests that up to seventy-five per cent of women will become infected with one or more of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus types at some point during adulthood. Although most genital human papillomavirus infections do not result in symptoms, lingering infections with a small subset of high-risk human papillomavirus types can lead to the development of cervical cancer.

The current generation of preventive human papillomavirus vaccines that are available target the two most common high-risk human papillomavirus types that cause about seventy per cent of all cervical cancer. The two vaccines that are currently available, gardasil and cervarix, are designed to elicit virus-neutralizing antibody responses that prevent initial infection with the human papillomavirus types represented in the vaccine. The vaccines have been shown to offer one hundred per cent protection against the development of cervical pre-cancers and genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus types in the vaccine, with few or no side effects. The protective effects of these vaccines are expected to last a minimum of four and one-half years after the initial vaccination.

The development of human papillomavirus vaccines offer a previously unavailable source of protection against one of the most common and deadly types of cancer. In essence, a human papillomavirus vaccine is a vaccine against cervical cancer.

The purpose of this Act to improve the overall health of Hawaii's population and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by requiring the department of education, in collaboration with the department of health, to provide without charge accurate, educational information on human papillomavirus, the link between human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer, and the availability of human papillomavirus immunizations to the parents of all female public school students in sixth grade.

SECTION 2. The department of education, in collaboration with the department of health, shall develop a pamphlet or brochure that provides accurate, educational information on human papillomavirus, the link between human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer, and the availability of human papillomavirus immunizations. This educational pamphlet or brochure shall be provided, without charge, to the parents of all female public school students in sixth grade. The information shall be provided to the parents of the students no later than thirty days after the beginning of each school year, effective beginning in the 2009 school year.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the establishment of an educational program to reduce the risk of cervical cancer by providing to the parents of all female public school students in the sixth grade a free educational pamphlet or brochure on human papillomavirus that includes information on the availability of human papillomavirus immunizations.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the establishment of an educational program to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, including making available human papillomavirus immunizations to all female public school students in the sixth grade.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2141
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII