STAND. COM. REP. NO. 95

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 666

H.D. 1

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. 666 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to adopt the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Federation of State Medical Boards, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, Liberty Dialysis – Hawaii, The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Board, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact creates a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards and provides a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states. Your Committee further finds that adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact will increase access to health care in the State, by increasing the ability for physicians to practice across participating jurisdictions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Appropriating an unspecified amount of funds for the establishment of positions and necessary database upgrades to ensure the Professional and Vocational Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs can properly implement the compact;

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion and delaying implementation of the compact for one year; and

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

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. 666, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 666, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair