CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 170

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 599

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow certain physician assistants to sign orders for respiratory therapy and plans of care; and

(2) Expand the class of health care providers under whom respiratory therapists may practice respiratory care to include physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses.

Your Committee on Conference finds that patient access to high quality health care depends upon health care providers' scopes of practice reflecting the full extent of providers' training and capabilities. Although physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses possess the necessary skills and training to issue orders for respiratory therapy and oversee the provision of respiratory care by respiratory therapists, and are allowed to do so under federal regulations, existing state law prohibits them from prescribing, ordering, or directing respiratory care services. This measure aligns state law with federal standards to provide greater access to respiratory health care services for the State's residents.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DELLA AU BELATTI Co-Chair	____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Chair
____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Co-Chair
____________________________ JENNA TAKENOUCHI Co-Chair