STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1023-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 805

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 805 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to permanently enact the amendments made by Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, to the definitions of "the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse" and "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, The American Academy of Physician Assistants, Kauai Community Health Alliance, The Queen's Health Systems, and twenty-three concerned citizens.

     Your Committee finds that Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, amended the definitions of "the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse" and "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse" to include carrying out the orders of a licensed physician assistant practicing with physician supervision and acting as an agent of the supervising physician.  Act 255 also provides that the amended definitions shall be repealed on July 1, 2017.

     Your Committee believes that healthcare delivery in the State has improved since these definitions were amended because registered nurses now have clear authority to execute the orders of physician assistants.  Reverting to the previous definitions of "the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse" and "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse" may create confusion among health care providers and patients and negatively impact delivery of healthcare services in the State.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that it is in the best interest of the State to make permanent the definitions of "the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse" and "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse" that were temporarily established in 2012.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 805 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair