STAND. COM. REP. NO. 211-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 141

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. 141, 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:

(1) Establish a state telehealth advisory council and a state telehealth coordinator position in the Department of Health to advise the Governor in the development and implementation of a comprehensive state telehealth plan; and

(2) Establish a working group in the Department of Health to research and make recommendations on various access to health care barriers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from seven individuals.

Prior to decision making on this measure, your Committee made available for public review a proposed H.D. 2, which deletes the contents of the measure and inserts language to:

(1) Require public, private, and charter schools to have an employee trained to administer seizure disorder rescue medication, except under certain circumstances;

(2) Require a seizure action plan for every diagnosed student and distribution of the plan to employees charged with supervising the student; and

(3) Requiring all principals, guidance counselors, and teachers to perform an annual self-study review of seizure disorder materials.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed H.D. 2 from the Special Education Advisory Council, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii, and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on the proposed H.D. 2 from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that the proposed H.D. 2 is based on model legislation proposed by the national Epilepsy Foundation to increase the public's awareness of seizure disorders and make schools safer for students affected by seizure disorders. Your Committee notes that this measure is a critical priority for the epilepsy community, to promote safety and continuity of care in the event of a seizure. Your Committee further finds that the proposed H.D. 2 contains important protections necessary to enhance the safety of Hawaii's students living with seizure disorders while they are attending school.

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

(1) Removing provisions that would have made the requirements in this measure applicable to private schools;

(2) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

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

(4) 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. 141, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 141, 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