HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1627

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

H.D. 3

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MEDICAL INVESTIGATIONS BY THE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMPLAINTS OFFICE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the regulated industries complaints office of the department of commerce and consumer affairs enforces various regulations governing professions and occupations that are licensed in the State.  The regulated industries complaints office investigates allegations of professional misconduct by licensees and any possible unlicensed activity that may be occurring in the State.  The enforcement of certain professional and occupational regulations can be especially challenging when those professions and occupations involve complex medical issues and scopes of practice that are widely varied.  Despite the regulated industries complaints office's critical role in protecting consumers, by enforcing regulations that impact physical and mental health, the agency lacks investigators with specialized experience or expertise in medical issues.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Statutorily establish a division of the regulated industries complaints office that specializes in medical cases; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to establish four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) field investigators and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) staff attorney who specialize in medical cases within the regulated industries complaints office.

     SECTION 2.  Section 26-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The department shall protect the interests of consumers, depositors, and investors throughout the State.  It shall set standards and enforce all laws and rules governing the licensing and operation of, and register and supervise the conduct of, trades, businesses, and professions, including banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and other financial institutions.

     The regulated industries complaints office shall establish a division that specializes in the investigation of medical cases involving professions and occupations regulated by the department of commerce and consumer affairs pursuant to title 25."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the compliance resolution fund established pursuant to section 26-9(o), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) field investigators and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) staff attorney who specialize in medical cases within the department of commerce and consumer affairs' regulated industries complaints office.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



Report Title:

Regulated Industries Complaints Office; Medical Investigations; Positions; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the regulated industries complaints office to establish a division that specializes in the investigation of medical cases involving regulated professions and occupations.  Appropriates funds from the compliance resolution fund for field investigators and a staff attorney who specialize in medical cases.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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