STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2638

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2811

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2811, S.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 update chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, to be consistent with federal law by allowing properly registered practitioners to prescribe drugs, including buprenorphine and naloxone, to patients undergoing medically managed withdrawal, provided that the practitioner complies with specific requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.

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 purposes of medically managed withdrawal. While assisting those in need of treatment for substance abuse, this measure also assists in the enforcement of drug laws and the prevention of drug abuse and diversion in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2811, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair