STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2072

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 16

S.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 16, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to convene a task force to identify and develop minimum professional standards for community health worker training programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Ka‘u Rural Health Community Association Inc.; National Association of Community Health Workers; Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Papa Ola Lokahi; AlohaCare; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that community health workers are trusted members of local communities who provide assistance in navigating complex systems of care and serve as a link between individuals in their home communities and clinical and community-based services. However, there are no uniform professional standards in the State for community health workers. Developing quality assurance and minimum standards for community health workers will ensure the public health and safety of individuals receiving assistance from community health workers and allow community health workers to advance their educational and professional infrastructure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 16, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair