STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1672

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1150

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1150, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SKILLED NURSING FACILITY LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Health to accept nationally recognized accreditation or certification organizations to demonstrate a skilled nursing facility's compliance with the licensing inspection requirements required by the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the Joint Commission and other nationally recognized accrediting agencies have certification standards for skilled nursing facilities that are more stringent than those required by state law. Your Committee believes that allowing the Department of Health to recognize these accreditation and certification reviews to establish a skilled nursing facility's compliance with the State's licensing requirements will enable the Department to redeploy its staffing resources to other equally important surveys or investigations, while maintaining oversight of skilled nursing facilities to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1150, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair