STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2997

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2366

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2366 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to help save the lives of individuals in need or organ transplants by establishing a statewide organ donor registry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Organ Donor Center of Hawaii; the Hawaii Coalition on Donation; the National Federation of Filipino American Associations; the Philippine Nurses Association; Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc,; the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity; the Filipino American Citizens League; AIM Healthcare Institute; the United Filipino Council of Hawaii; Case Management Professionals, Inc.; and three individuals.  The Department of Health submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the establishment of a statewide organ donor registry is imperative in meeting the needs of those waitlisted for organ donations.  However, funding alternatives, such as federal matching funds or grants, should be pursued to ensure the registry will remain viable.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by establishing the statewide organ donor registry in statute under the Department of Health and by providing that the department may contract for the establishment of the statewide organ donor registry.

     Your Committee further amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2366, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2366, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair