STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2779

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2394

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2394 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish influenza vaccination requirements for health care workers.

     Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Requires hospitals to ensure that health care workers receive the influenza vaccination as a precondition to employment and, subsequently, on an annual basis;

(2)  Requires hospitals to provide health care workers with information on the influenza vaccination; and

(3)  Exempts health care workers from receiving an influenza vaccination if the health care worker has a condition contraindicated for the vaccination, holds a sincere religious belief opposing the vaccination, or there is an insufficient supply of vaccine.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health; East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Hawaii State Center for Nursing; Hawaii Pacific Health; The American Organization of Nurse Executives, Hawaii Chapter; Health Care Association of Hawaii; Walgreens; CVS Health; Hawaii Immunization Coalition; and fifteen individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Nurses Association and twelve individuals.

     Your Committee finds that health care workers who have been vaccinated for influenza reduce their chances of contracting the flu and transmitting it to patients, including those with compromised immune systems.  Your Committee further finds that protecting health care workers from influenza can help to avert critical personnel shortages during times of influenza outbreaks.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2394 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair