STAND. COM. REP. NO.1228

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 651

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 651, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INFORMED CONSENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to update the informational requirements health care providers must provide patients regarding a medical treatment or medical procedure prior to obtaining the patient's consent to the treatment or procedure.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the President and CEO, the Chair of the Physician Advisory Group, and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the President and CEO of Healthcare Association of Hawaii, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, the Hawaii Coalition for Health, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans. Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii and a physician provided comments.

Your Committee finds that patients or their guardians should be given full and accurate information on medical conditions, diagnoses, or treatment that affect their health. Only by receiving full and accurate information can patients or their guardians make informed health decisions. Your Committee agrees that the patient-oriented standard of informed consent that is reflected in this bill should be maintained.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 651, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair