STAND. COM. REP. NO. 629

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 302

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 H.B. No. 302, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize advanced practice registered nurses to certify whether a person is totally disabled for purposes of the income tax code;

(2) Authorize advanced practice registered nurses with psychiatric specializations to make capacity determinations for the purposes of advance mental health care directives; and

(3) Add advanced practice registered nurses with psychiatric specializations as primary providers in advance mental health care directives.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing, Hawai‘i Nurses' Association, Hawai‘i Association of Professional Nurses, Hawai‘i – American Nurses Association, The Queen's Health Systems, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Board of Nursing, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that advanced practice registered nurses are currently permitted to practice to the full scope of their authorized practice, including practicing as primary care providers. However, certain sections of state law do not include advanced practice registered nurses within the scope of primary care providers for the purposes of disability determinations under the state income tax code or for advance mental health care directives. This measure is intended to amend state law to be in conformity with the current scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses, which will improve access to care for Hawaii consumers.

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. 302, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair