STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1624-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2492

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2492, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend various sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to enable advanced practice registered nurses to practice to the fullest extent of their training and education.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and fourteen individuals.  Written comments on the measure were received from the Disability and Communication Access Board.

     Your Committee finds that various sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes omit advanced practice registered nurses from the definitions or designations of health care entities who may provide health care, prescribe drugs, or sign forms.  Your Committee believes that these statutes are outdated and should be amended to authorize increased participation by advanced practice registered nurses as primary care providers.

     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. 2492, S.D. 1, 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