STAND. COM. REP. NO. 25

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 188

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 188 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SEPSIS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a one-year pilot project to provide education about, and raise awareness of, sepsis in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawai‘i Pacific Health and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that sepsis is a severe infection that can quickly progress to multisystem organ failure and death.  Early recognition and intensive treatment are crucial to preventing morbidity and mortality from sepsis.  Your Committee further finds that while groups exist that promote sepsis awareness, there is no organization in Hawaii dedicated to providing education about, and raising awareness of, sepsis.

     In 2015, the Sepsis Best Practices Group was formed to disseminate best practices and improve sepsis care across the State.  In 2016, Hawaii Sepsis Month and Hawaii Sepsis Day were recognized, and a Sepsis Awareness and Education Day event was held to provide information about sepsis and showcase improvement efforts the hospital community has made in recognizing and treating sepsis.  Your Committee recognizes that the Department of Health and Healthcare Association of Hawaii, in collaboration with other community groups, are currently implementing initiatives to raise awareness about sepsis.  However, your Committee finds that some funding may be required to further sepsis education and awareness efforts in Hawaii.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 188, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 188, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair