STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2299

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3075

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 S.B. No. 3075 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EPIDEMIOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the public health by allowing the Department of Health to conduct epidemiological investigations in a timely manner in order to contain and prevent outbreaks of dangerous diseases.

     Specifically, this measure amends section 321-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to allow the Department of Health to collect samples necessary for epidemiologic investigations.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that epidemiological investigations have been impeded by the refusal of individuals who do not allow Department of Health investigators access to property, or permission to obtain samples necessary for analysis.  Your Committee further finds that the timely collection of plant, animal, food, or environmental samples is necessary for the Department to conduct effective investigations and protect the public from outbreaks of dangerous diseases.

     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 S.B. No. 3075 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair