STAND. COM. REP. NO.  59

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 814

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 814 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSE AIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure consistency and excellence in medical care provided by nurses aides by specifying:

(1)  The renewal period for the recertification of certified nurse aides; and

(2)  The number of continuing education hours required for recertification,

by the Director of Human Services.

     The Hawaii Coalition for Caregivers, Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc., Philippine Nurses Association Hawaii, United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Filipino Nurses' Organization of Hawaii, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, National Association of Filipino American Associations – Region 12, Filipino American Citizens League, Oahu Filipino Community Council, Big Island Chapters of the Adult Residential Care Home Operators and Adult Foster Home Association, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Specifying that the continuing education hours required for recertification will not conflict with federal laws that may differ;

(2)  Making conforming amendments to statutes governing the Department of Human Services to ensure consistency in nurses aides regulations;

(3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

(4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for 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. 814, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 814, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair