STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1398

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1468

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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1468, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WAIANAE COAST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for operating expenses relating to the school-based health center at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, including the hiring of an advanced practice registered nurse and for various infrastructure improvements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education Complex Area Superintendent of Nanakuli-Waianae, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Wai‘anae High School, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Honolulu County Republican Party, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that school-based health centers are of particular importance and can improve access to comprehensive adolescent health care services, especially for those who would otherwise not seek care, or have their health conditions contribute to high absenteeism rates. Your Committee further finds that the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has operated two school-based health centers since 2016 and has already served 2,795 students over the course of 6,620 visits. Your Committee notes the behavioral health assessments conducted by Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center demonstrate significant behavioral health needs: thirteen percent of students seen at the health center have attempted suicide, substance abuse rates are high, and depression and anxiety are common. Your Committee finds that this measure will continue to support the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center by providing much needed access to comprehensive health care, including behavioral health services for adolescents who might not otherwise receive timely access to care.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns of the Attorney General and recommends passage of this measure for further consideration by your Committee on Ways and Means but anticipates that your Committee on Ways and Means will subsume this measure into the budget, as a more appropriate vehicle for grant-in-aid requests.

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 H.B. No. 1468, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1468, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair