STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1350

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 353

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 353, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the expansion of the Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, The Queen's Health System, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committees find that there is a statewide shortage of licensed practical nurses in the State. To address this shortage and the insufficient number of opportunities for education and training of individuals to become licensed practical nurses, the Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program was established at the University of Hawaii Maui College. The Program utilizes an "earn and learn" model to deliver online didactic curriculum and hands-on clinical education at a student's place of work. Results from a pilot program launched in January 2023 demonstrate great demand for the Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program, and the Program hopes to expand to meet this demand. Therefore, this measure appropriates funds for instructional costs and student aid to expand participation in the Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program to help increase access to health care across the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 353, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair