STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1333

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 354

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 354, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to, beginning with the July 1, 2017, licensing biennium, require licensed registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to submit evidence of completed continuing competency requirements prior to the renewal of the license.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Nursing; Hawaii State Center for Nursing; University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene; Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses; Hawaii Pacific Health; Pali Momi Medical Center; Wilcox Memorial Hospital; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and six individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that nurses are critical to the successful implementation of health care reform in Hawaii.  Continuing competency plays a significant role in nursing professionals' ongoing development and ensures that these health care professionals are able to engage in life-long learning to maintain safe, high quality, proficient care for the betterment of the patients they serve.  Your Committee further finds that this measure benefits licensed registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and their patients by requiring completion of continuing competency requirements prior to any application for license renewal, restoration, or reinstatement.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 354, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair