STAND. COM. REP. NO. 951

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1015

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 S.B. No. 1015 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 increase the number of licensed nursing professionals in the State.

More specifically, the measure appropriates funds for the expansion of the certified nurse aide to practical nurse bridge program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, as follows:

(1) $130,000 for instructional costs, including the cost of casual employees and overload pay; and

(2) $200,000 for student aid to program participants, including tuition, fees, supplies, and related costs.

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

Your Committee finds that the certified nurse aide to practical nurse bridge program is designed especially for working certified nurse aides and other health care professionals who want to become licensed practical nurses, and that the financial support provided by this measure will help the University of Hawaii Maui College to meet its goal of expanding the program statewide to accommodate a threefold increase in student enrollment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriations from $130,000 and $200,000 to unspecified amounts; and

(2) 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 S.B. No. 1015, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1015, 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