STAND. COM. REP. NO. 621

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 942

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 942, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require each public school's and public charter school's administration to establish and appoint staff members to a Critical Emergency Response team.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks! and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that time is of the essence when responding to critical emergencies. Long-term injuries, brain damage, and even death can occur within just a few minutes in some types of emergencies. This measure is intended to protect the health of the State's students and faculty by ensuring public schools are equipped with a Critical Emergency Response team and the procedures necessary to immediately respond to critical emergencies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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. 942, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 942, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair