STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3527

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2128

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2128, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that clinical victim support services for victims of sexual violence and abuse are a mental health outpatient services benefit required to be covered under health insurance policies offered by health insurers, mutual benefit societies, fraternal benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawai`i State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus, YWCA O`ahu, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, two employees of The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, IMUAlliance, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i, Filipina Advocacy Network, Hawaii Women's Coalition, Hawaii Medical Association, and five individuals.

The Insurance Commissioner of the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Board of Pharmacy, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente submitted written comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to provide greater access to mental health services for victims of sexual violence and abuse.

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 H.B. No. 2128, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair