STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3133

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1944

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Insurers Council, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that serious injuries to the cervical or lumbar spine could result in paralysis and that these injuries are often irreversible. Your Committee further finds that urgent medical attention is critical to minimize the effects of a head or neck injury. Therefore, this measure attempts to facilitate early diagnosis of and streamline medical treatment for these types of serious injuries.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,

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HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair