STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2046

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 250

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 250, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the quality of health services provided to public school students.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Formally establishes the Hawaii keiki: healthy and ready to learn program for the purpose of providing school-based health services;

(2) Provides increased flexibility for the administration of necessary medication to students; and

(3) Appropriates funds for:

(A) School health services coordinator positions;

(B) A vision screening and eye assessment tool; and

(C) The Hawaii keiki: healthy and ready to learn program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Project Vision Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Education, and the Hawaii Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to increase health services to students, particularly in rural areas that may have a shortage of health service providers. Your Committee further finds that this measure will provide health screenings to assist in the early detection and treatment of health concerns.

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. 250, 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,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair