STAND. COM. REP. NO. 863-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2462

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 H.B. No. 2462, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify who may access information stored in the Electronic Prescription Accountability System.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that federal law requires the Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services to report a broad range of information regarding the use of and treatment for various different drugs, particularly opioids. Some of that information is only available through the State's Electronic Prescription Accountability System. This access also allows the Med-QUEST Division to ensure compliance by Medicaid-contracted providers. Your Committee further finds that access to the Electronic Prescription Accountability System allows health care providers to make informed decisions when prescribing medications. By providing access to the Electronic Prescription Accountability System, prescribers employed by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs are able to make better informed decisions as to the appropriate care for their patients. This measure provides access to the Electronic Prescription Accountability System for authorized employees of the Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services and to prescribers employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

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 H.B. No. 2462, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair