HCR187

WHEREAS, the State is facing a persistent health care staffing shortage, which has been exacerbated by the challenges posed by COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this ongoing shortage, the staff-to-patient ratio has greatly increased, leading to working conditions becoming increasingly unpredictable and unsafe and increasing the rate of burn out by health care professionals; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that improved staff-to-patient ratios greatly improve patient safety and outcomes; and

WHEREAS, identifying best practices in labor standards for health care facilities will help inform lawmakers on how to improve working conditions for health care professionals and increase recruitment and retention; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a health care facilities labor standards working group to research, assess, and make recommendations on the best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to research, assess, and make recommendations on:

(1) Potential benefits and impacts associated with the implementation and enforcement of labor standards at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State, including but not limited to the establishment and enforcement of:

(A) Minimum staffing standards;

(B) Hospital staffing committees; and

(2) Best practices in labor standards that can be implemented at hospitals, care homes, and dialysis facilities in the State; and

(3) Any other issues that may arise, pursuant to the direction of the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

(1) The Chairperson of the Board of Nursing, or the Chairperson's designee, who is requested to serve as the chair of the working group;

(2) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;

(3) The Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, or the Director's designee;

(4) The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, or the President and Chief Executive Officer's designee;

(5) Three members with experience in the health care industry, including nurses and others working in health care facilities and unions representing health care workers, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(6) Three members with experience in the health care industry, including nurses and others working in health care facilities and unions representing health care workers, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations are requested to provide expertise and assist the working group in carrying out its duties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, Chairperson of the Board of Nursing, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Health Care Facilities Labor Standards Working Group; Department of Health; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Board of Nursing

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	187
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII