STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1875

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 353

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 353, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for instructional costs and student aid for the certified nurse aide to practical nurse bridge program at the University of Hawaii Maui college.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queen's Health System, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing.

Your Committee recognizes that the statewide shortage of licensed practical nurses affects residents' access to health care. Accordingly, your Committee finds that an effort to educate and train students to enter this profession will increase the number of licensed practical nurses in the State, which in turn will facilitate the provision of quality health care.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 353, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 353, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair