STAND. COM. REP. NO. 213

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 735

       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 Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 735 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 on July 1, 2017, 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 Hawai‘i Pacific Health, American Organization of Nurse Executives Hawai‘i, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Clinic and Hospital, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing, Board of Nursing, Hawaii Government Employees Association, and eleven individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the requirement of all candidates for an initial nurse license to pass a national examination has resulted in the consistent practice of quality health care services administered to the public.  This examination safeguards the quality of health care practices by ensuring that each candidate possesses the minimum competencies necessary for newly licensed, entry-level registered and practical nurses to perform their jobs safely and effectively.  Despite the clear benefits of this safeguard, continuing competency requirements are not currently instituted for nurse licensure renewal applications in the State.  This measure enhances patient safety by requiring Hawaii-licensed nurses to complete continuing competency requirements prior to any application for license renewal, restoration, or restatement.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 735, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 735, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair