STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2834

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2423

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2423 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 update chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to clarify who may access information stored in the electronic prescription accountability system (EPAS).

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

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 will better protect 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 Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2423 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair