STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2159-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 33

S.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 S.C.R. No. 33, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BLOOD BANK OF HAWAII TO IMMEDIATELY ADOPT THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION'S UPDATED GUIDANCE, WHICH SHORTENS OR ELIMINATES THE DEFERRAL PERIOD FOR CERTAIN BLOOD DONORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Blood Bank of Hawaii immediately adopt the United States Food and Drug Administration's updated guidance that shortens or eliminates the deferral period for certain blood donors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that due to fears associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, blood bank donations decreased substantially in 2021, resulting in an historic blood inventory shortage in the State and nationally. To address the shortage of blood donations, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised its blood donor eligibility guidance for several categories of blood donors by shortening or eliminating the deferral periods. Your Committee further finds that the Blood Bank of Hawaii has yet to adopt any of the FDA's revised guidance. This measure addresses the urgent need for an increased supply of blood by requesting that the Blood Bank of Hawaii immediately adopt the FDA's revised guidance that shortens or eliminates the deferral period for certain blood donors.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 33, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair