STAND. COM. REP. NO. 487

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 674

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 Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 674 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, The Queen's Health System, AlohaCare, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, Federation of State Medical Boards, National Organization for Rare Disorders, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawai‘i Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Association, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, and Hawai‘i Pacific Health. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Board, Hawaii Association for Justice, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that there is a shortage of medical providers in the State, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact streamlines the licensing process for providers looking to practice across state lines, extending the reach of physicians, improving access to medical specialists, and leveraging the use of medical technologies, such as telehealth. To increase access to health care across the State, this measure authorizes the Governor to enter into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact on behalf of the State.

Your Committee notes concerns raised by the Hawaii Association for Justice that this measure, as currently written, grants broad immunity to officers or employees rendering aid pursuant to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and leaves no legal recourse for individuals who may be harmed. Your Committee also notes the Hawaii Medical Board's request for funds to facilitate the implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, including to update its internal database and to establish, recruit, and hire staff. Your Committee respectfully requests your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Ways and Means to consider these concerns, should they choose to deliberate on this measure.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact;

(2) Inserting a blank appropriation to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;

(3) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 674, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 674, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair