STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2424

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2013

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2013 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DENTAL HYGIENISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require a dental hygienist license to be prominently displayed at all times in the office where the dental hygienist is employed or practices.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Dental Examiners, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, and nine individuals.

     Your Committee finds that thirty-two states mandate that a dental hygienist license be prominently displayed in a dental office.  This measure would extend this requirement to dental hygienists licensed in Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that although a certificate of license signifies that a dental hygienist received a license in the State, it does not reflect whether the license is current.  A pocket identification card that indicates the expiration date of a license is issued to dental hygienists at initial licensure and at each subsequent license renewal.  Your Committee concludes it would be prudent for dental hygienists to display a copy of their certificate of license and have their pocket identification card available upon request.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that a copy of the currently renewed certificate of license shall be prominently displayed in the office where the dental hygienist is employed or practices; and

     (2)  Requiring a dental hygienist who is employed at or practices in more than one office to have the dental hygienist's pocket identification card available for viewing upon request.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2013, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2013, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair