STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2851

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2653

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 S.B. No. 2653 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHAPTER 453, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase access to quality medical care, regardless of borders.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes requirements for the licensure of physicians, surgeons, and osteopathic physicians to practice in Hawaii by endorsement; and

(2) Makes an appropriation to support implementation of the new licensure requirements.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Medical Board, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Pacific Health, and one concerned individual.

Your Committee finds that qualified out-of-state medical professionals may face impediments to receiving licensure in the State, and that licensure by endorsement could ease these impediments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2653, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2653, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair