STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1225

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1379

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 Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1379, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow a pathway for foreign medical school graduates to be licensed as physicians that was previously only available to graduates who passed the qualifying examination of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates before 1984; and

(2) Establish an alternative pathway for licensure as a physician for foreign medical graduates who passed certain examinations, possess an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate, and have completed two years of post-graduate medical training.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Medical Board, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Association, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State continues to face a persistent shortage of medical professionals, especially for primary care providers. Your Committee further finds that the inclusion of alternative qualifying requirements for physician licensure enhances the possibility of more graduates becoming physicians in the State. This measure establishes additional pathways for foreign medical school graduates to obtain physician licensure while maintaining appropriate protection for public health and ensuring that medical licenses are only issued to qualified, safe, and competent physicians.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1379, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1379, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair