STAND. COM. REP. NO.2327

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 3077

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 3077 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to include in the standards for emergency medical services (EMS), standards requiring ambulance service providers licensed by the State to establish and maintain an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is comparable to those holding commercial drivers' licenses.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Health and Honolulu Emergency Service Department. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from the United Public Workers Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help those employees who abuse drugs and alcohol while maintaining quality care for our citizens and a safe working environment for all EMS employees.

Your Committee has amended this measure to also require the establishment of an "employee wellness program" for EMS employees.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3077, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3077, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

____________________________

DAVID MATSUURA, Chair