Report Title:

Cancer Detection Special Fund

 

Description:

Establishes cancer detection special fund in DOH to encourage Hawaii-based development of technology to detect early stage cancer. Authorizes annual deposits from cigarette and tobacco special fund in excess of $         . Requires director of health to solicit advice on disbursement of funds.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

423

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO cancer detection SPECIAL FUND.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that subsequent to the establishment of the Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund in 1999, and various amendments to the cigarette and tobacco tax law codified in chapter 245, Hawaii Revised Statutes, much has been done to further cancer prevention in Hawaii. However, we must increase our efforts in the area of early cancer detection and possible cures for skin and other types of cancer through the work of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and other private initiatives located in the State.

The legislature finds that the high technology sector of our economy has spawned many exciting enterprises that are involved in medical research and development. One such initiative is working toward securing approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration for a non-invasive method of detecting skin and cervical cancers utilizing hyper-spectral diagnostic imaging. This technology reportedly works in detecting cervical cancer by capturing the unique color fingerprint of different types of cells. Pre-cancerous and cancer cells have a larger blood flow than normal tissue and thus appear as different colors. The technology can distinguish nearly three hundred separate colors compared to the red, blue, and green recorded by ordinary cameras and can create a photograph of the cervix with detail not seen through a microscope. This technology was developed in Hawaii and should be encouraged with the support of state and federal funding.

The legislature further finds that it is in the interest of the public health and welfare, as well as in the interest of the State's economy, to support Hawaii-based companies that can contribute to the health and well being of all, including the State's residents. The purpose of this Act is to create a cancer detection special fund to support Hawaii-based development of technology to detect cancer in its early stages.

SECTION 2. Chapter 245, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§245- Cancer detection special fund. There is established in the state treasury the cancer detection special fund, into which shall be deposited annually the amount, if any, in excess of $           in net annual collections collected pursuant to this chapter. The cancer detection special fund shall be administered by the director of health pursuant to section 321-  ."

SECTION 3. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321- Cancer detection special fund; funding; uses; administration; rules. (a) The cancer detection special fund is established and shall be funded as provided in section 245-   .

(b) Moneys in the cancer detection special fund shall be administered by the director of health and shall be used to encourage, in the form of grants or loans as the director may determine, the Hawaii-based development of technology to detect cancer in its early stages.

(c) The director of health, in determining the appropriate disbursement of moneys from the fund, shall solicit and consider the advice of the following entities:

(1) The department of business, economic development, and tourism;

(2) The University of Hawaii school of medicine;

(3) The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii;

(4) The federal government; and

(5) The private sector, including entities engaged in medical research and development in the area of early cancer detection using innovative technology.

(d) The director shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to implement the purpose of this section."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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