STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3157

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1889

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1889, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for breast cancer and cancer of the female reproductive organs.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Disability and Communication Access Board; County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety; Honolulu Fire Department; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, IAFF, AFL-CIO.

Your Committees find that although fire departments are expected to use the best available equipment and risk management practices to reduce a firefighter's exposure to contaminants, exposure may be unavoidable as some house fires and vehicle fires release highly concentrated toxicants from burning plastics and other synthetics. Your Committees also find that due to anatomical differences, female firefighters may develop a wide variety of cancers and develop them at an earlier age than most other women. By providing workers' compensation coverage for breast cancer and cancer of female reproductive organs for firefighters, this measure will ensure that firefighters receive timely and appropriate medical treatment, and ease the emotional and financial burdens for firefighters and their families.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1889, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1889, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair