Report Title:

Infectious Diseases

Description:

Establishes the Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force as a temporary three year task force to study the present and future impact that will be faced by this state from resistant staph infections, infectious bacteria in sea water, and hepatitis.  (HB2172 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2172
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns school of medicine for administrative purposes an emerging infectious diseases investigative task force.  The Asia-Pacific institute of topical medicine and infectious diseases shall be responsible for administering the work of the emerging infectious diseases investigative task force, providing a facilitator, and submitting a report to the legislature.  The goals of the task force shall be to study the present and future impact that will be faced by Hawaii from:

(1)  Resistant staph infections;

(2)  Infectious bacteria in sea water; and

(3)  Hepatitis in the population.

The task force shall gather information to discern whether there is a notable increase in recorded instances of cases related to emerging infectious diseases and what measures are being taken by the health care industry in terms of treatment and prevention.  The task force should also develop recommended policies that the department of health should implement to address these emerging infectious diseases.

     (b)  The members of the emerging infectious diseases investigative task force shall consist of eight members as follows:

     (1)  A member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (2)  A member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;

     (3)  The dean of the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns school of medicine or the dean's designee;

     (4)  Two representatives of the department of health appointed by the director of health;

     (5)  Three members, representing the health care professionals including a physician and a nurse, appointed by the governor;

     (c)  The emerging infectious diseases investigative task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, annually to the legislature beginning with the regular session of 2009, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

     (d)  The emerging infectious diseases investigative task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2011.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.