STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1111

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 53

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.R. No. 53 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THE HAWAII PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP DRAFT LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING, IMPLEMENTING, AND MONITORING CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Hawaii Psychological Association to develop draft legislation establishing, implementing, and monitoring continuing education requirements for all licensed psychologists in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Psychology, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the field of psychology is constantly transforming and developing.  In an age of ever-growing accountability, psychologists have an obligation to consumers and fellow psychologists to be current with the knowledge in their field and any applicable specialties.

     Your Committee further finds that Hawaii is one of only six states that do not require continuing education requirements for psychologists.  Mandating continuing education for licensed psychologists is an essential way to promote client and patient safety and support the valuable role psychologists contribute to the health care system, by requiring licensed psychologists to keep abreast of new knowledge, skills, and relevant information.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by urging the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Psychological Association to use the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division's Continuing Professional Education Guidelines Checklist as the framework for collaboration and discussion on continuing education requirements for licensed psychologists in Hawaii.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 53, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 53, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair