STAND. COM. REP. NO. 91

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 394

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 394 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide accurate, educational information to sixth graders on human papillomavirus, its connection to cervical cancer and other cancers, and the availability of a vaccine against human papillomavirus through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Education and Department of Health.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Planned Parenthood Hawaii; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus; League of Women Voters; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; National Coalition of STD Directors; Democratic Party of Hawaii Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus, Rainbow Family 808; and four individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committees find that the human papillomavirus vaccine may prevent certain cancers, thereby saving lives.  The prevention of infectious disease is paramount to a safe and healthy society.  Sharing accurate, educational information on diseases and vaccinations and presenting it to families whose children are of an appropriate age to receive the vaccine is appropriate and necessary to better educate the community and promote public health.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by broadening its scope to include development and dissemination of information about diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, meningococcal disease, influenza, and the availability of vaccines for each disease, along with information on any other preteen vaccinations and the diseases they prevent consistent with current medical practice and national recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 394, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 394, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health,

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair

 

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair