STAND. COM. REP. NO. 716

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1396

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1396 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend section 4 of Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, to make permanent the requirements under section 329-38.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to check the electronic prescription accountability system in certain situations as enumerated.

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

Your Committee finds that Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, requires that the State's prescription database be reviewed before the prescribing of opioids under certain conditions. This policy was created as part of the State's strong response to prevent the opioid epidemic from taking a strong hold in the State. Moreover, the comprehensive efforts to reduce opioid prescriptions in Hawai‘i have been successful. This measure will make permanent the requirements under section 329-38.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to review the electronic prescription accountability system in certain situations.

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. 1396 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair