STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1416

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 532

S.D. 2

H.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.B. No. 532, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize public school employees and agents who have completed appropriate training to administer medication for students consistent with standards applicable to school health assistants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Department of Health; University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene; University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine; Special Education Advisory Council; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that, due to increasing vacancies for school health assistants, many public schools experience challenges in meeting the needs of students who are prescribed medications or may benefit from receiving medications in emergency situations while on campus. Your Committee further finds that, as the administration of medication would not constitute a skilled nursing service, public school employees and agents in addition to school health assistants, can receive the training necessary to administer these medications. Your Committee believes that allowing the Department of Education to train staff as an additional resource to support students will ensure continuity of student health services while maintaining student safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 532, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair