STAND. COM. REP. NO. 649

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1015

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1015 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the expansion of the University of Hawaii Maui College's Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, The Queen's Health System, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawai‘i – American Nurses Association. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing.

Your Committees find that there is a critical shortage of licensed practical nurses statewide. The University of Hawaii Maui College's Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program allows eligible Maui and Oahu certified nurse aides and other health care professionals to continue working while pursuing a licensed practical nurse certification. In response to a great demand for participation in the program, Maui College's goal is to expand the program statewide. To help increase access to the program and mitigate the State's licensed practical nurse shortage, this measure appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the expansion of the Certified Nurse Aide to Practical Nurse Bridge Program, including for instructional costs and student aid.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1015 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair