STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2446

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2634

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2634 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make appropriations for the expansion of the certified nurse aide to practical nurse bridge program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, including funding for instructional costs and student aid.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi System, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, one member of the Maui County Council, The Queen's Health System, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Ohana Pacific Health, and twelve individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing.

Your Committee finds that the State is experiencing a critical shortage of health care professionals, including nurses of all skill levels. Statewide, there is a thirty percent vacancy rate with two hundred eleven licensed practical nurse job openings. Presently, the University of Hawaii Maui College offers a certified nurse aide program to streamline entry of currently working certified nurse aides into the Licensed Practical Nurse Training Program. Additionally, support for nursing programs on the neighbor islands may motivate more prospective students to apply for nursing cohorts without prohibitive financial barriers. As nurses provide a crucial bridge between providers and patients, this measure expands educational opportunities to help alleviate the State's chronic health care shortage.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2634 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair