THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	415
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that some individuals face limitations in accessing physician-based medical care due to economic, racial, social, geographic, and other barriers. In addition, some individuals also lack access to primary care, including family planning and sexual health services.

The legislature further finds that while most states require abortions to be performed only by a physician or surgeon, a few states allow qualified nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and midwives to provide abortion care.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to study other states that allow advanced practice registered nurses or similar health care providers to perform abortions by medication or aspiration and review other specified areas relating to reproductive health.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a task force comprised of the following individuals or their respective designees to serve as members of the task force:

(1) The director of health, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

(2) The chairperson of the senate committee on commerce, consumer protection, and health;

(3) The chairperson of the house committee on health;

(4) A representative from the Hawaii board of nursing; and

(5) A representative from Hawaii Family Forum.

(b) The task force shall:

(1) Review other states that have legislated authorizing advanced practice registered nurses or similar health care providers to perform abortions by medication or aspiration, including patient safeguards to such legislation;

(2) Review patient access to abortion care and services in the State, including the number of abortion providers statewide, patient access by island to these providers, geographical challenges to patient access, and travel and other cost considerations to obtaining abortion care and services;

(3) Review the costs of unintended teenage pregnancy in the United States; and

(4) Study the Safe Haven Law, which was established by Act 7, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2007.

(c) The task force shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and shall act in an advisory capacity.

(d) The task force shall submit a report to the legislature of the actions taken pursuant to this Act no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2020 regular session, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.

(e) The task force shall terminate on June 30, 2020.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Task Force; Pregnancy; Abortion; APRN

Description:

Establishes a task force to review other states that allow APRNs or similar health care providers to perform abortions, patient access to abortion services, and the costs of unintended teenage pregnancies; study the Safe Haven Law; and submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2020 Regular Session. (SB415 HD1)

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