THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
589 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The University of Hawaii (UH) cancer center reduces the burden of cancer through research, education, patient care, and community outreach. The UH cancer center is the only cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute in Hawaii and the Pacific. UH cancer center is a member of the Hawaii Cancer Consortium along with three hospital groups and the University's John A. Burns school of medicine (JABSOM).
JABSOM educates and trains healthcare professionals, including physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers. JABSOM also conducts fundamental medical research and translates discoveries into delivery practices. Because JABSOM is a community-based medical school without its own university hospital, it partners with private hospitals in the community to achieve its educational mission.
The public funds and other resources the State has made available to JABSOM and the UH cancer center have been substantial. The magnitude of state funds and other resources provided to UH and the distinction of UH being the sole public institution of higher education in the State and the UH cancer center being the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Hawaii underscore the importance of establishing complementary strategic priorities and coordinating the management and deployment of state resources appropriated to JABSOM and UH cancer center.
It is in the public interest that state resources be efficiently and effectively managed to optimize the public benefits. Just as co-locating the physical facilities for JABSOM and UH cancer center on adjoining sites in Kakaako promotes synergistic efforts, the legislature determines that it is a statewide concern to ensure that the management of public resources provided to JABSOM and UH cancer center be integrated, coordinated, and focused on common priorities to avoid unnecessary duplication of administrative expenses or conflicting priorities.
Placing resources devoted to training and educating physicians and conducting cancer research in an integrated university organizational structure as opposed to stand-alone and duplicative organizations will foster a uniform strategic vision. Unified leadership will also allow better coordination with UH's private partners in the hospital community and with other state agencies.
The legislature finds that as a matter of statewide concern, the UH cancer center should be formally recognized and established as an organized research unit within the administrative and management purview of JABSOM.
SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, part IV, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
" . Cancer Research Center
§304A- Cancer research unit. There is established within the medical school of the University of Hawaii an organized research unit to conduct cancer research. The unit shall be administered by a director to be appointed by the board of regents upon recommendation by the dean of the medical school with the concurrence by the president of the university. The research agenda shall focus on research, education, patient care, and community outreach and should reflect an understanding of the ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of the State and the Pacific. The unit may:
(1) Engage in international research collaborations;
(2) Undertake research studies or clinical trials; and
(3) Participate in projects and programs of the National Cancer Institute."
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
University of Hawaii; Cancer Research
Description:
Establishes an organized research unit for cancer research within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.