STAND. COM. REP. NO. 505

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1121

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1121 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish a working group to examine and advise on amendments that can be made to the statutory description of the Department of Health's powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities in the Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds to support the activities of the working group.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that although the Department of Health routinely updates statutes through the Governor's administrative package, among other means, there has not been a holistic look at the span of the Department's statutory powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities for at least ten years.  Further updating the statutory description of the Department of Health's powers and duties to describe population-based public health programs and employ multi-sectoral strategies to improve health outcomes would enhance the Department's goal of health equity.  Therefore, this measure establishes a working group whose findings will ensure health equity across communities through collaboration between government and non-government sectors.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting language that authorizes the working group to evaluate the health impact assessment tool, including the development of scenarios and criteria for which health impact assessments may be conducted for future policies and projects unrelated to the Department of Health;

 

     (2)  Inserting a definition for "health impact assessment";

 

     (3)  Specifying the composition of the working group, including the chairperson; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1121, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1121, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair