STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2231

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2669

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2669 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION INSURANCE COVERAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to remove discriminatory requirements for mandatory insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization procedures to create parity of coverage for same-sex couples, unmarried women, and male-female couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Hawaii Association of Health Plans.

Your Committee finds that existing mandates for insurance plans to provide a one-time benefit for costs associated with in vitro fertilization procedures excludes same-sex couples, unmarried women, and male-female couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor, and constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and marital status. This measure promotes equal access to in vitro fertilization for same-sex couples and for women regardless of their marital status. Your Committee further notes that this measure is subject to an impact assessment report by the Auditor, pursuant to section 23‑51, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing references to oocyte donors and surrogates; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2669, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2669, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair