STAND. COM. REP. NO. 301

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 567

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 567 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the number of eligible blood donors, foster a commitment to blood donation, and enhance our ability to meet the growing demand for blood.

 

     This measure accomplishes this purpose by lowering the minimum age requirement for blood donation to sixteen years of age, provided that parental consent is obtained.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

 

     Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that twenty-three states have passed legislation or adopted variances recognizing sixteen year olds as eligible voluntary blood donors with parental consent.  Your Committee further finds that allowing sixteen year olds to donate blood will increase the donor pool and increase the availability of blood supply to help others in need.

 

     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. 567 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair