STAND. COM. REP. NO.  206-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2253

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2253 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OVERDOSE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand access to opioid antagonists to prevent fatal accidental poisoning caused by overdoses of drugs by:

     (1)  Granting immunity to health care professionals and others who prescribe and administer an opioid antagonist; and

     (2)  Authorizing emergency personnel and first responders to administer an opioid antagonist.

The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Drug Policy Action Group, Hawaii College of Emergency Physicians, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Medical Association, The Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services and Family Treatment Services, and many concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Board of Pharmacy, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Department, CHOW Project, and several concerned individuals provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Defining "harm reduction organization", "protocol", and "standing order" in the Overdose Prevention Emergency Response Act;

     (2)  Specifying that a pharmacist, acting in good faith and with reasonable care, shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action for dispensing an opioid antagonist;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2070, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2253, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2253, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair