STAND. COM. REP. NO. 405-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2236

H.D. 1

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. 2236 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the state emergency medical system by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Health to:

(A) Work with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or other qualified entity, to conduct a comprehensive statewide workforce study to increase the emergency medical technician and paramedic workforce; and

(B) Conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the state emergency medical system to improve the economic function of the system, including centralized purchasing and other cost-saving measures; and

(2) Appropriating funds for collective bargaining increases, personnel costs, and expenses related to the emergency medical services and injury prevention system.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Honolulu Emergency Services Department of the City and County of Honolulu; and United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO.

Your Committee notes that there is a significant need for the State and counties to work together to ensure adequate and appropriate coverage of emergency medical services for all persons in Hawaii, regardless of their geographic location. Your Committee would like an efficient emergency medical services system and would consider public-private partnerships and greater autonomy for certain areas, including the City and County of Honolulu, if necessary.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the review of the State's emergency medical system shall be known and may be cited as "Keo's Law";

(2) Requiring the Auditor to conduct a comprehensive management audit of the Emergency Medical Services Department of the City and County of Honolulu;

(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. 2236, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2236, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair