STAND. COM. REP. NO.  225-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2165

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2165 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to address the shortage of nurses in Hawaii and respond to student interest by allowing an individual who has:

     (1)  Received a bachelor's degree; and

     (2)  Satisfactorily completed the pre-licensure portion of a master's entry program in nursing at an accredited school of nursing,

to apply for a license to practice as a registered nurse by examination.

     The Board of Nursing, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Government Employees Association, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2165 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Health,

____________________________ JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair

____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair