STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2720

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2306

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2306 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Accounting and General Services to:

(1) Install and maintain automated external defibrillators in all state buildings, no later than January 1, 2025; and

(2) Provide trainings on the use of automated external defibrillators for certain state employees and security staff.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council, Executive Office on Early Learning, Honolulu Emergency Services Department of the City and County of Honolulu, one member of the Honolulu City Council, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that the American Heart Association recommends early defibrillation as a crucial step in the chain of survival for cardiac arrest patients. According to the American Heart Association, defibrillation is most successful when administered as soon as possible after the onset of cardiac arrest. Your Committee believes that the availability of automated external defibrillators in state facilities will enable early defibrillation as the American Heart Association recommends. However, your Committee has determined that the certification program outlined in this measure is too strict and complex. There are many nationally recognized providers in this field and therefore, your Committee proposes amending the measure to allow the Department of Accounting and General Services, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to procure a vendor for this program.

Additionally, your Committee has found that the effectiveness of these devices increases when more people are trained in their usage. Therefore, your Committee suggests further discussion in having the State facilitate public awareness campaigns and training programs, especially in schools. These efforts can empower ordinary citizens to intervene and save lives using these devices and therefore warrants further discussion.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Accounting and General Services to collaborate with the Department of Health when contracting for or procuring as necessary the services of another public or private entity to assist with the training on the use of automated external defibrillators;

(2) Inserting language requiring the Department of Accounting and General Services to, in collaboration with the Department of Education, University of Hawaii, and other relevant parties, administer a public education program on the use of automated external defibrillators;

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2306, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2306, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair