STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1709

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1142

      S.D. 1

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve patient access to medical care by:

     (1)  Clarifying the procedures and circumstances under which licensed physician assistants may provide services; and

     (2)  Limiting the liability of physician assistants rendering emergency care services pursuant to the Good Samaritan laws.

     The Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Human Services, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Medical Board, and a concerned individual submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair