STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1159

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1171

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1171, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HEALTH CARE PRIVACY HARMONIZATION ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the circumstances in which the State has a compelling interest in the use, disclosure, and production of de-identified protected health information under the Health Care Privacy Harmonization Act. 

Specifically, this measure provides that de-identified protected health information may be disclosed or used in this State for purposes of research, protecting patient or public safety, ensuring proper operations of medical facilities, and health care operations, subject to federal security and privacy requirements.

The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, and The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

     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 S.B. No. 1171, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair