STAND. COM. REP. NO. 397-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1673

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1673, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require employers to be liable for medical care, services, and supplies when a workers' compensation claim filed by a solid waste worker suffering from cancer is accepted or determined to be compensable.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO.

Your Committee finds that existing law provides for medical care, services, and supplies for firefighters suffering from cancer. Your Committee further finds that solid waste workers are repeatedly exposed to a variety of materials that may result in life-altering or long-term health issues. This measure will extend the care, services, and supplies currently afforded to firefighters under the State's Workers' Compensation Law to solid waste workers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 1673, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1673, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair