STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1017

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   S.B. No. 805

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, 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 maintain clarity of communications between physician assistants and nurses by removing the sunset provisions of the definitions of "the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse" and "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse" contained in Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.  As such, the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse will continue to include carrying out the orders of a licensed physician assistant practicing with physician supervision, and acting as an agent of the supervising physician.

The Board of Nursing, Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, Puna Community Medical Center, and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses opposed this measure.  An individual submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health 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 Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair