STAND. COM. REP. NO. 208-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 140

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 140, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage postgraduate medical student physicians to participate in peer-review processes by affording them the same incentives and protections as licensed physicians engaging in effective peer review.

Prior to decision making on this measure, your Committee made available for public review a proposed H.D. 2, which deletes the contents of this measure and inserts language that amends the Electronic Prescription Accountability System by allowing controlled substance prescribers, dispensers, and pharmacists of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Med-QUEST employees access to information stored in the electronic prescription accountability system.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed H.D. 2 from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Public Safety.

Your Committee finds that adding authorized employees of the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to the list of individuals who may receive investigative information from the electronic prescription accountability system will enhance the Department's clinical and program integrity efforts. This measure is aligned with the goals of the Hawaii Opioid Action Plan to address the problems of opioid misuse and abuse, as well as address the needs for substance use disorder treatment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed H.D. 2 and further amending the measure by:

(1) Specifying that licensed healthcare providers, or their delegates, employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs shall have access to information stored in the electronic prescription accountability system to be consistent with federal law;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 140, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 140, H.D. 2, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair