STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1251-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2672

      S.D. 1

      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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2672, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve patient access to medical care by clarifying the circumstances under which advanced practice registered nurses may practice to the fullest extent of their training and education.

Specifically, this measure amends various statutes related to prescription drugs, emergency mental health exams, determinations of cause of death, workers' compensation, and nursing to clarify the roles and the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Board of Nursing, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, Hawaii Chapter of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that advanced practice registered nurses provide a wide variety of health care services in Hawaii.  Your Committee also finds that certain sections within the Hawaii Revised Statutes omit advanced practice registered nurses from the definitions or designations of health care entities who may provide health care, prescribe drugs, or sign relevant forms.  Your Committee believes that this measure prudently amends these outdated statutes, and will thus enable improved access to health care services, expedite the processing of paperwork, and provide optimal care at the initial point of access for Hawaii patients, especially in rural and underserved areas.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2672, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2672, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair