STAND. COM. REP. NO.2320

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2941

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2941 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to specify that moneys in the hospital and medical facilities special fund (fund) be used for enhancing the capacity of hospital and medical facilities to improve public outreach and educate the public, staff, and regulated industries.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health (DOH), Alliance of Residential Care Administrators, and United Group of Home Operators.

This measure also:

(1) Specifies that not more than an unspecified amount of money may be used for education in any fiscal year;

(2) Specifies that any amount over an unspecified amount on June 30 of each year would be deposited into the general fund;

(3) Requires the DOH to submit an annual report to the legislature before each regular session concerning the status of the fund; and

(4) Requires that administrative penalties be deposited into the State general fund.

Moneys collected by the DOH from licensure and certification of medical facilities are deposited into the fund, to be used to offset program expenses of the hospital and medical facilities branch such as inspections. This measure adds educational programs intended to benefit licensees to help them meet licensing and certification requirements. Your Committee believes that the educational use of the moneys is fair and reasonable.

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 S.B. No. 2941 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

DAVID MATSUURA, Chair