STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2446
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2387
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Twenty-Eighth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2016
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Education and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2387 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to require a child to provide written documentation of a physical examination performed within twelve months prior to attending seventh grade at a public school.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaii System, University of Hawaii College of Education, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Academy of Pediatrics, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.
Your Committees find that school physical examinations are currently only conducted upon entry into the public school system. This usually occurs in kindergarten. As a child grows and begins to mature, latent health issues may arise or become more serious. Encouraging regular physical examinations promotes a culture of wellness and preventative health care, and is in the public interest. Additionally, physical examinations are appropriate at the seventh grade because that grade level also corresponds to immunization requirements.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Replacing the requirement for written documentation from a medical professional that a child is undergoing a physical examination with certification by a child's parents or guardians that the child has an appointment for an examination;
(2) Adding language requiring the Department of Education to notify the parents or guardians of a child of the required physical examination as soon as practicable once the child leaves sixth grade; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2387, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2387, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,
________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair |
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________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair |
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