STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1298-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3125

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 3125, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL CARE FOR MINORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize minors who are fourteen years of age or older to consent to medical care and services for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and family planning services, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections; and

(2) Require health insurance plans and health care providers to maintain confidentiality policies and procedures for minor-initiated medical care and services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Disability and Communication Access Board; Kumukahi Health+ Wellness; Parents And Children Together; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Opportunity Youth Action Hawaiʻi; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Drug Policy Forum of Hawaiʻi; Essential Access Health; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports critical treatment of minors diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Existing statutes do not appear to permit minors to consent to medical care related to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, which is a critical gap in access to medical care. Permitting minors who cannot or will not seek the consent of their parents or guardians to consent to HIV medical care is essential to the health of the minor and a valuable step in ending the HIV epidemic in Hawaii.

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 S.B. No. 3125, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair