STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2493

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2816

       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. 2816 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Health to allow accreditation of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to substitute for state licensing inspections of hospitals.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that accreditation by the Joint Commission may substitute for the state inspection in the year in which the accreditation is issued.  This measure extends the substitution for the entire three-year accreditation period, while also retaining the Department of Health's authority to conduct unannounced inspections and investigate complaints.  This measure complements the Joint Commission accreditation process and ensures quality care at Hawaii hospitals.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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. 2816, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2816, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair