STAND. COM. REP. NO.  905

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 1072

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1072, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PSYCHOLOGISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the need for mental health services in rural and underserved areas of the State by authorizing the Board of Psychology to issue certificates of prescriptive authority to medical psychologists who meet certain education, training, and registration requirements.

The Hawaii Psychological Association, Maui County Branch of Mental Health America/Hawaii, Ohana Psychological Services, Na Pu‘uwai Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Big Island Substance Abuse Council, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  Hawaii Medical Association, The Queen's Health Systems, American Psychiatric Association, and several individuals opposed this measure.  The Board of Psychology and two individuals submitted comments.

     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 H.B. No. 1072, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair