STAND. COM. REP. NO. 492-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1675

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1675, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL CARE FOR MINORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Permit minors to consent to medical care and services related to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus;

(2) Specify that a minor, under certain circumstances, shall not be liable for payment associated with the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of human immunodeficiency virus; and

(3) Authorize physician assistants, in addition to physicians and advanced practice registered nurses, to render this medical care and services to minors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, Hawai‘i Academy of Physician Assistants, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates–Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports critical treatment of minors diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and could help prevent HIV acquisition in minors. Existing statutes do not appear to permit minors to consent to medical care related to the prevention of HIV, which is a critical gap in access to medial care. Permitting minors who cannot or will not seek the consent of their parents or guardians to consent to HIV medical care is essential to the health of minors and a valuable step in ending the HIV epidemic in Hawaii.

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 H.B. No. 1675, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair