STAND. COM. REP. NO. 628

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1191

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1191, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse or pharmacist may access information stored in the Electronic Prescription Accountability System (EPAS);

(2) Allow authorized employees of the Department of Human Services, Med—QUEST Division to access EPAS information; and

(3) Allow controlled substances prescribers, dispensers, and pharmacists employed by United States Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in Hawaii, who submit data of dispensing activity as described in section 329—101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to access prescription information stored in the EPAS.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that clarifying the authority of advanced practice registered nurses, pharmacists, and Med—QUEST staff regarding EPAS access aligns with and supports the goals of the Hawaii Opioid Initiative to combat the national opioid crisis. Your Committee further finds that allowing controlled substances prescribers, dispensers, and pharmacists employed by United States Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in Hawaii to access EPAS will make state law consistent with the VA MISSION Act, which requires that every state provide these licensed health care providers and their delegates access to their EPAS, without exception. This measure clarifies who may access up—to—date and accurate prescription information stored in the EPAS or, as it is more commonly known, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. According to testimony received by your Committee, this measure better protects the community from prescribing and treatment practices that are of concern, especially the over-prescribing of opioids.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1191, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair