HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1553

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE ASSURANCE SPECIAL FUND.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that establishing the ceiling of the office of health care assurance special fund through the state budget process provides greater flexibility to the legislature to review spending proposals and allows the department of health to avoid an artificial fiscal ceiling.  The legislature further finds that the office of health care assurance special fund can be used to offset increasing operational expenses, upgrade and expand the department of health's management information system for the health care facility licensing program, implement and upgrade a web-based portal for a robust industry-wide background check system for criminal history and registry checks on health care facility licensees and employees, fund state licensing surveyor and support positions where general funds were eliminated or reduced, and fund other contracts for inspection services.

     The purpose of this Act is to remove the ceiling of the office of health care assurance special fund.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-1.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Moneys in the special fund shall be expended by the department of health:

     (1)  To assist in offsetting operating costs and educational program expenses of the department of health's office of health care assurance; and

     (2)  For the purpose of enhancing the capacity of office of health care assurance programs to:

          (A)  Improve public health outreach efforts, program and community development, and consultations to industries regulated;

          (B)  Educate the public, the staff of the department of health, and other departments within the State, as well as staff and providers of all health care facilities and agencies regulated; and

          (C)  Administer and support the durable medical equipment supplier license program established pursuant to part XLIII.

[Not more than $327,000 of the special fund may be used during any fiscal year for the activities carried out by the office of health care assurance.]

     (c)  [Any amount in the special fund in excess of $387,500 on June 30 of each year shall be deposited into the general fund.]  Moneys in the special fund may be used during any fiscal year for the activities carried out by the office of health care assurance."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2060.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Office of Health Care Assurance Special Fund; Ceiling

 

Description:

Removes the ceiling and lapsing provision for the office of health care assurance special fund.  Authorizes the moneys in the special fund to be used in any fiscal year for certain purposes.  Effective 7/1/2060.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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