STAND. COM. REP. NO.  515

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1238

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1238 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LATEX,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to address the serious health and safety concerns of latex-sensitive and latex-allergic persons by prohibiting the use of latex gloves in dental health facilities, health care facilities, and food establishments, and by personnel providing ambulance services or emergency medical services.  

 

     The American Latex Allergy Association and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Health opposed this measure.  The Queen's Health Systems and three individuals commented on this measure. 

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion.

 

     Your Committee notes the serious health risks that exposure to latex has on persons with latex allergies.  The risks include symptoms ranging from mild to severe and life threatening.  Your Committee is also mindful of the protocols, preferences, and policies regarding the use of latex in health care and dental facilities, and food establishments to create a latex-safe environment.  Should your Committee on Judiciary deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it further examine how some degree of flexibility can be provided to health care facilities.

 

     Your Committee acknowledges the work of its dear colleague and friend, the late State Representative Mele Carroll of District 13, for introducing this bill and for her service to address the needs of the community.  It is with deep reflection and fond remembrance that your Committee honors Representative Carroll for her service in the State House.

 

     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. 1238, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1238, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair