CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 29

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1344

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1344, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Replace the term "school health aides" with "school health assistants" to reflect recent changes to the job title; and

(2) Authorize the administration of medication to public school students by health assistants with the approval of a health care professional within the Department of Education, Department of Health, or a health care service pursuant to a written agreement with the Department of Education.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the current procedure for administration of medication in public schools involves extensive oversight. While certain schools may have a medical professional such as a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or other specialized health care provider on campus, existing law prevents these health care professionals from performing the function of approving the administration of medication. This measure ensures the safety of students while also streamlining the process to administer medication.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1344, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1344, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON Co-Chair	____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Chair
____________________________ JACKSON D. SAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Co-Chair