STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1493-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 81

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 81 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO AMEND TITLE 12, CHAPTER 15, HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, TO CLARIFY THAT COMPENSATION FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES UNDER THE STATE'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW IS DISTINCT FROM COMPENSATION FOR REGISTERED NURSES AND SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FEES AUTHORIZED UNDER THE MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to amend title 12, chapter 15, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to clarify that compensation for advanced practice registered nurses under the state's workers' compensation law is distinct from compensation for registered nurses and shall be one hundred percent of the fees authorized under the Medicare fee schedule.

Your Committee received testimony with comments of this measure from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Hawaii State Center for Nursing.

Your Committee recognizes the long standing supportive relationship between the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and advanced practice registered nurses. Your Committee notes that advance practice registered nurses are required to earn a postgraduate degree and operate at a higher level, overseeing patient care. Your Committee finds that amending the Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Schedule to ensure advanced practice registered nurses receive increased compensation will improve access to quality medical care.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 81 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

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SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair