STAND. COM. REP. NO. 755

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 777

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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 777 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the list of acceptable institutions or organizations that can approve the continuing education courses needed by naturopathic physicians for license renewal.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Naturopathic Medicine, Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians, and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (Board) is authorized to require continuing education requirements for renewal of naturopathic licenses. However, the Board has found it extremely challenging to evaluate and approve continuing education courses because the definition of "continuing education courses" under existing law does not include courses approved by other jurisdictions' naturopathic regulatory boards, colleges, or institution of naturopathic medicine programs accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. This has led to a significant decrease in acceptable continuing education courses that Hawaii-licensed naturopathic physicians may use to meet the Board's continuing education requirements. Furthermore, if naturopathic physicians are unable to renew their licenses, this may lead to a disruption of patient care. This measure clarifies which courses are acceptable and expands options to help licensees meet their continuing education requirements.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 S.B. No. 777, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 777, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair