Report Title:

Insurance; 24-hr Coverage

 

Description:

Funds a joint legislative study group to address 24-hour coverage.  (SD1)

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

106

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Making an appropriation for a study on twenty-four-hour coverage.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  There is established a joint legislative study group to investigate the issues involved in implementing twenty-four-hour insurance coverage in Hawaii.  The study group shall address the means by which the State can combine prepaid health care, temporary disability insurance, motor vehicle insurance, and other related insurance systems in order to prevent duplication of coverage and avoid delays in the delivery of health care.  The study group shall specifically address the issue of allowing an employee to access medical services through the routes normally used under prepaid health care for services covered by other forms of health benefits plans, such as workers' compensation and motor vehicle insurance.

     The study group shall develop initiatives to effectuate twenty-four-hour coverage, including recommended statutory changes to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

     The study group shall be exempt from part I of chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The members of the study group shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.  The chairs of the house committee on labor and public employment and the senate committee on judiciary and labor shall serve as co-chairs of the study group.  Members of the study group shall include:

     (1)  The director of labor and industrial relations or the director's designee;

     (2)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs or the director's designee;

     (3)  The insurance commissioner or the commissioner's designee; and

     (4)  Any other individuals deemed to have relevant expertise and experience.

     Members of the study group shall receive no additional compensation for their services.

     The department of labor and industrial relations shall provide research, clerical, and technical support for the study group.

     The study group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2008.

     SECTION 2.  The study group shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2008.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, to support the study group on twenty-four-hour coverage established by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.