STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2370

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2231

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 S.B. No. 2231 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 improve female firefighters' access to comprehensive medical coverage by expanding workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for breast cancer and cancer of female reproductive organs.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, Honolulu Fire Department, Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, and eleven individuals.

Your Committees find that firefighters are commonly diagnosed with cancers of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems due to exposure to cancer-causing contaminants during the performance of their duties. By providing sufficient workers' compensation coverage for firefighters, states can help ensure that firefighters receive timely and appropriate medical treatment and can help ease the emotional and financial burdens for firefighters and their families if the firefighter is diagnosed with cancer. Due to anatomical differences, female firefighters may develop a wide variety of cancers, including breast, cervical, and uterine cancers, and may develop them at an earlier age than most other women. This measure will ensure that firefighters receive timely and appropriate medical treatment for breast cancer and cancer of the female reproductive organs.

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 S.B. No. 2231 and recommend that it pass Second Reading 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