STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1183

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 617

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 617, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ORAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish an Oral Health Task Force to review information on the status of oral health in the State and make recommendations to improve oral health infrastructure in Hawaii; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the hiring of staff to facilitate the work of the task force and develop a public dental health program in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawai‘i Oral Health Coalition, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Papa Ola Lokahi, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, AlohaCare, The Queen's Health System, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Health, Hawaii Dental Association, and Hawaii Dental Hui.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 617, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair