STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1209-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2424

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2424, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the definition of the practice of medicine to provide uniformity of practice for medical physicians and osteopathic physicians.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Board, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Hawaii Medical Association. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the definition of "practice of medicine" was amended in 2008 by adding a separate, distinct definition of "osteopathic medicine." Since medical physicians and osteopathic physicians receive the same training, this distinction is unnecessary. This measure therefore brings the definition of the practice of medicine to parity with the existing practice of medicine and provides uniformity for medical physicians and osteopathic physicians.

Your Committee further finds that the existing practice of medicine includes the treatment of disease and includes additional services that are now commonplace in the practice of modern medicine. Accordingly, this measure also expands the scope of practice of medicine beyond merely treating disease, which will provide the Regulated Industries Complaints Office with tangible grounds for evaluating physician compliance with licensure laws and enable the Office to better target and enjoin unlicensed practices and behaviors.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to upon approval.

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. 2424, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2424, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair