Report Title:

Insurance; Joint Legislative Study Group; 24-Hour Coverage; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a joint legislative study group to investigate issues regarding the implementation of twenty-four-hour insurance coverage in Hawaii. Appropriates funds for the study.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2298
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating TO INSURANCE.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established a joint legislative study group on twenty-four-hour coverage to investigate the issues involved in implementing twenty-four-hour insurance coverage in Hawaii.  The study group shall address the means by which the State can combine prepaid health care, temporary disability insurance, motor vehicle insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and other related insurance systems in order to prevent duplication of coverage and avoid delays in the delivery of health care.  The study group shall specifically address the issue of allowing an employee to access medical services through the routes normally used under prepaid health care for services covered by other forms of health benefits plans, such as workers' compensation and motor vehicle insurance.

     (b)  The study group shall develop initiatives to effectuate twenty-four-hour coverage, including recommended statutory changes to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. 

     (c)  The study group shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes. 

     (d)  The members of the study group shall be appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.  The chairs of the senate committee on judiciary and labor and the house of representatives committee on labor and public employment shall serve as co-chairs of the study group.  Members of the study group shall also include:

     (1)  The director of labor and industrial relations or the director's designee;

     (2)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs or the director's designee;

     (3)  The insurance commissioner or the commissioner's designee; and

     (4)  Any other individuals deemed to have relevant expertise and experience.

     (e)  Members of the study group shall receive no additional compensation for their services.

     (f)  The department of labor and industrial relations shall provide research, clerical, and technical support for the study group.

     (g)  The study group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

     SECTION 2.  The study group shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to support the joint legislative study group on twenty-four-hour coverage.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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