HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	664
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 466D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definitions of "practice of respiratory care" and "qualified medical direction" to read as follows:

""Practice of respiratory care" means providing assessment, therapy, management, rehabilitation, support services for diagnostic evaluation, education, and care for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities that affect the pulmonary system, including:

(1) Respiratory care services, including the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic care related to respiratory care procedures necessary for treatment, disease prevention, rehabilitative, or diagnostic regimens prescribed by a licensed physician[;], licensed osteopathic physician, licensed physician assistant, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse;

(2) Observation and monitoring of signs, symptoms, reactions, and physical responses to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing;

(3) Diagnostic or therapeutic use of:

(A) Medical gases, excluding general anesthesia;

(B) Aerosols, humidification, environmental control systems, or invasive and non-invasive modalities;

(C) Pharmacological care related to respiratory care procedures;

(D) Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support, including maintenance of natural airways and insertion and maintenance of artificial airways;

(E) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and

(F) Respiratory protocol and evaluation or diagnostic and testing techniques required for implementation of respiratory care protocols; and

(4) The transcription and implementation of the written, verbal, and telecommunicated orders of a licensed physician, licensed osteopathic physician, licensed physician assistant, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse, pertaining to the practice of respiratory care.

"Qualified medical direction" means ready access by a respiratory therapist to a licensed physician, licensed osteopathic physician, licensed physician assistant, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse, who has specialty training or experience in the management of acute and chronic respiratory disorders and who is responsible for the quality, safety, and appropriateness of the respiratory services provided by the respiratory therapist."

SECTION 2. Section 466D-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§466D-4[] Physician supervision] Supervision required. No person shall practice respiratory care under this chapter except under the direct order and qualified medical direction of a physician or an osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 453[.], a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 453, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 457."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Respiratory Therapists; Supervision; Physician Assistants; Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Description:

Expands the class of health care providers under whom respiratory therapists may practice respiratory care to include physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.