STAND. COM. REP. NO. 675-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2459

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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL AUTONOMY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to conduct a study relating to authorized exemptions from medically authorized vaccinations and submit a report of its findings to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Pearl Harbor Christian Academy; Hawaii Medical Association; Hawaii Association of Independent Schools; Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor; Hawaii for Informed Consent; Peace of Mind Therapy HI LLC; Seeds of Truth; and over one hundred individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Immunization Coalition; National Vaccine Information Center; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center; and seventeen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Kauai Christian Academy; Waolani Judd Nazarene School; and one individual.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the purpose section;

(2) Amending the Department of Health's study to focus on the development and disbursement of vaccinations for modern disease outbreaks and various procedures associated with medically authorized exemptions from required vaccinations; and

(3) Allowing the Department of Health to partner with federal partners or universities to conduct relevant research for this study.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair