CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 103

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1365

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1365, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT,"

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) Authorize the Hawaii Medical Board, as a State of Principal License, to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians seeking licensure through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (Compact), enacted by Act 112, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, was intended to streamline the licensing process for physicians seeking to practice in multiple states, including Hawaii. Due to Hawaii's ongoing physician shortage, the Compact, among other things, makes it possible to extend the reach of physicians, improve access to medical specialists, and leverage the use of medical technologies, such as telemedicine.

To fully participate in the Compact, however, authorization to conduct criminal history record checks is necessary as part of the licensing process. These background checks are a standard component of physician licensing nationwide and serve as a safeguard to protect patients and uphold the integrity of the medical system. Without this authority, the Hawaii Medical Board risks being able to issue licenses under the Compact, limiting the benefits intended by joining the Compact. Accordingly, this measure will allow the Hawaii Medical Board, under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to conduct criminal background checks as part of its applicant screening process under the Compact to ensure that licenses are only issued to qualified, safe, and competent physicians, thereby ensuring that the benefits of entering the Compact can be fully implemented and realized in the State.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the appropriation from the Compliance Resolution Fund;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2025; and

(3) 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. 1365, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1365, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA Chair
____________________________ CORY CHUN Co-Chair	____________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI Co-Chair
____________________________ SUE L. KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY Co-Chair