STAND. COM. REP. NO. 641

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 472

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 472, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Exempt telehealth-related gifts from procurement requirements;

(2) Authorize advanced practice registered nurses to use telehealth to assist a patient, including those advanced practice registered nurses who are not licensed in the State, under certain conditions; and

(3) Statutorily provide for certain telehealth-related exemptions for licensed health professions consistent with the exemptions provided by gubernatorial emergency proclamations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Hawai‘i Psychological Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Human Services, State Procurement Office, Board of Nursing, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Psychology, Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, Hawaii Medical Board, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, Queen's Health Systems, and Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that telehealth has taken on a more critical role in providing health care services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, allowing patients to access health care providers without risking virus exposure through face-to-face interactions. Your Committee further finds, however, that not everyone has equal access to the broadband services that would allow them to take advantage of telehealth options.

Your Committee also finds that companies willing to gift resources to ensure broadband access are limited by the State's procurement laws. This measure will promote telehealth options statewide by exempting telehealth-related gifts from the State's procurement laws and codifying the practice of telehealth, including provisions relating to the use of telehealth by advanced practice registered nurses.

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 H.B. No. 472, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair