STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1642

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 72

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 72, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, require pharmacy technicians to be registered with and obtain a certificate of registration from the Board of Pharmacy;

(2) Impose a duty on pharmacists-in-charge to report violations conducted by registered pharmacy technicians; and

(3) Specify that supervising registered pharmacists are responsible for the actions of registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreen Co., and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is the only state that does not maintain a list of practicing pharmacy technicians, leaving a significant gap in oversight that can impact patient safety. As career professionals in the health care workforce, pharmacy technicians play an essential role in the daily operation of pharmacies and perform functions under the supervision of pharmacists, including the dispensing of medications, processing insurance claims, preparing sterile compounds, and with additional certifications, administering vaccines to patients. This measure provides the regulatory oversight needed to ensure that these essential health care workers have the appropriate background and supervision, while also facilitating access to training opportunities and expanding their scope of practice through additional certifications. Your Committee therefore believes the registration of pharmacy technicians is warranted and appropriate for the level of responsibility and trust afforded by the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 72, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair