STAND. COM. REP. NO.  48-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1708

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1708 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to allow licensed physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists to examine patients by telemedicine, subject to certain conditions.

 

     The Department of Health; Hawaii Medical Association; Consumer, Family, & Youth Alliance; and an individual testified in support of this measure.  Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, and two individuals submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Clarifying that the personal examination required to extend or continue a period of emergency hospitalization shall be conducted by a licensed physician or psychiatrist, but not a licensed psychologist;

 

(2)  Clarifying that with respect to initiation of proceedings for involuntary hospitalization, a petition may be accompanied by a certificate of a licensed physician or psychologist who has personally examined the person within 48 hours, rather than two days, before submission of the petition;

 

(3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate continued discussion on the measure; and

 

(4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.

 

     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 H.B. No. 1708, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1708, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair