STAND. COM. REP. NO. 542-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1944

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize certain types of radiographical coverage and specialist consultations without a treatment plan within the context of workers' compensation coverage for employees with cervical and lumbar spinal injuries, or suspected cervical and lumbar spinal injuries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Hawaii Insurers Council; Hawaii Medical Evaluators; WorkStar Injury Recovery Center; Hawaii Injury Recovery Center, Inc.; Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that cervical and lumbar spinal injuries are severe injuries, in which the delay of an accurate diagnosis and treatment may lead to avoidable delays in recovery or, in some cases, irreversible damage to the spinal cord. Your Committee further finds that radiological imaging, specifically magnetic resonance imaging, allows a health care provider to accurately determine the extent of an injury. This measure ensures that injured workers suffering from serious injuries to the cervical or lumbar spine receive timely and appropriate care, which promotes better outcomes and a smoother return to work for employees.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair