STAND. COM. REP. 1258

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1469

S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1469, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING SESSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide for the confidentiality of communication in a peer support counseling session for law enforcement officers or emergency services personnel conducted by a law enforcement agency or by an emergency services provider.

The Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, and State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that peer support counseling sessions provide moral and emotional support to law enforcement and emergency services personnel who respond to stressful incidents and situations. Although confidentiality and privacy are critical to the success of the counseling programs, peer support communications are not statutorily protected. Your Committee believes that this measure will adequately provide such protection.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1469, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair