STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1610-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2557

      S.D. 2

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2557, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONCUSSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the issue of concussion management in youth athletics by:

     (1)  Expanding the Concussion Educational Program established by Act 197, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, to include athletic events and activities for all participants aged 11 to 18 in addition to high school–sponsored athletics and incorporate additional concussion protocol and program requirements;

     (2)  Appropriating funds for the development and implementation of the concussion monitoring and education program for school athletics and concussion testing of high school athletes; and

     (3)  Appropriating funds for the implementation of a concussion awareness program for State public school students who are aged 11 to 13.

The Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Safe Kids Hawaii, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, and an individual supported this measure.  The Department of Education; University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Education, Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences; Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association; American Physical Therapy Association; and Hawaii High School Athletic Association provided 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 S.B. No. 2557, S.D. 2, 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