STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1567

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.R. No. 118

 

 

 

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.R. No. 118 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE CENTER FOR NURSING TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND IMPACT OF THE STATE ADOPTING THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to convene a working group to study the feasibility and impact of the State adopting the Nurse Licensure Compact.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Queen's Health System, Kūpuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and Hawai‘i Pacific Health.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Nursing, Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that there is a statewide shortage of nurses.  The Nurse Licensure Compact would enable nurses to practice in various jurisdictions without needing to obtain additional licensures and has the potential to increase the nursing workforce available to the State.  While the Nurse Licensure Compact has the potential to alleviate the nurse shortage in the State, questions remain regarding the regulation of out-of-state nurses and the Compact's impact on the State's existing licensure infrastructure.  Convening a working group to study the feasibility and implications of the State adopting the Nurse Licensure Compact would provide an opportunity to answer these questions and fully explore other concerns.

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 118 and recommends its adoption.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair