STAND. COM. REP. NO. 201-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2436

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 Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2436 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 practices for minor-initiated medical care and services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Kumukahi Health + Wellness; Rainbow Family 808; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Federation of Republican Women and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that existing law has permitted minors who are fourteen years of age or older to consent, independently and without their parent or guardian's involvement, to medical care and services for screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. However, preventive treatments are currently unavailable as state law requires that the minor already be infected or profess infection to be able to consent to services. This measure increases access to preventive health care and reduces the risk for the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2436, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2436, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair