STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3672

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 Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, 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, Hawaii Insurers Council, Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that untreated serious injuries to the cervical or lumbar spine can result in paralysis or the loss of muscle strength in some extremities. Emergency diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurological consultations, can help identify spinal cord injuries early so that treatment to possibly prevent the permanent loss of function can be instituted as quickly as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can also allow employees to return to their jobs sooner. Therefore, this measure expedites the diagnosis of and streamlines the medical treatment for employees who sustained serious injuries to the cervical or lumbar spine while working, by allowing them to obtain an MRI and consultation with a specialist within the first sixty days after the injury without a treatment plan under the context of workers' compensation coverage.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair