STAND. COM. REP. NO. 728

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1448

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1448, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ASTHMA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to

(1) Authorize Department of Education schools to stock bronchodilators and spacers for emergency use during a potentially life-threatening asthma episode; and

(2) Establish training standards for Department of Education employees who volunteer to administer bronchodilators.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, American Lung Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawai‘i Public Health Association, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, AlohaCare, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of the Attorney General, and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that infants and very young children make up the majority of asthma-related medical emergencies and hospitalizations in the State. According to 2020 data from the Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, one in thirteen children in Hawaii have asthma. Although the asthma mortality rate has declined over the past ten years, there was an average of twenty-two deaths per year from asthma in Hawaii between 2013 and 2015. Your Committee believes that as asthma attacks can occur at any time and often without warning, allowing schools to stock bronchodilators and train school employees in proper administration will improve access to quick-relief, lifesaving medication for any child.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that public schools must follow the Department of Education's protocols that enable a school health aide or other authorized employees and agents to administer bronchodilators;

(2) Clarifying that the qualified health care professionals who can provide training in the proper administration of bronchodilators and use of spacers include licensed physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses;

(3) Specifying that the good faith immunity from liability applies to physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses, in addition to physicians and pharmacies; and

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

Your Committee notes the concern raised in testimony that requiring every person who volunteers to administer a bronchodilator in an emergency situation may unintentionally require every employee or agent of the Department of Education to be trained in the use of bronchodilators. Your Committee requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider limiting the training only to designated volunteers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1448, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1448, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair