STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3075

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2384

H.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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2384, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to provide flexibility and clear guidance for practitioners who prescribe, administer, or dispense certain controlled substances for patients undergoing medically managed withdrawal or detoxification treatment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure will bring Hawaii law into conformity with federal law, and permit registered medical practitioners to prescribe drugs including buprenorphine and naloxone for "medically managed withdrawal", also known as "detoxification treatment" and "maintenance treatment". Your Committee finds that this measure will not limit the use of these drugs for medical purposes but will assist in the enforcement of drug laws and prevention of drug abuse and diversion in the State.

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 H.B. No. 2384, H.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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair