SB153 HD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	153
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

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

SECTION l. The legislature finds that the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina revealed severe shortcomings of the health care system serving the residents of the Gulf Coast. And while the earthquake that shook Hawaii on October 15, 2006, did not cause severe widespread damage, it did underscore the need to assess the ability of our state health care facilities to withstand natural disasters.

The Office for Domestic Preparedness within the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive to states requiring them to assess their ability to evacuate and shelter residents in the event of a disaster. In general, hospitals are typically more prepared than other smaller facilities such as nursing homes to address disasters. For example, hospitals have comprehensive plans that will be implemented in the event of a pandemic or terrorist attack. Still, the Katrina experience underscores the need to assess hospital facilities as well, to determine their ability to withstand hurricanes.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to assess the structural integrity of all state hospitals in Hawaii and appropriate moneys for this purpose.

SECTION 2. The department of health shall assess the structural integrity of all state hospitals in Hawaii. The assessment shall be conducted by one or more registered professional engineers qualified to conduct structural analyses on existing structures and knowledgeable about the effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. The assessment shall include rating each facility based on its ability to survive the likely effects of hurricanes and earthquakes of various intensities, and other disasters.

SECTION 3. (a) The department of health shall provide the results of the assessment to:

(1) The state hospitals to support preparation of risk-based disaster plans; and

(2) State and county civil defense officials to support evacuation decisions.

(b) The department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.

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 2007-2008, to assess the structural integrity of all state hospitals in Hawaii to determine their ability to withstand different types of natural disasters.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.