STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2694

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2296

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2296, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make both housekeeping and substantive amendments to section 457-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, regarding the licensure of nurses.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Board of Nursing.

Your Committee finds that this measure explicitly states for clarity that the Board of Nursing has the authority to impose automatic forfeiture and restoration of a license that is not timely renewed. Your Committee further finds that providing a two-year restoration period will allow a wider window for nurses to return to the workforce, with positive effects on the nursing shortage. Adding continuing education as an alternative proof of continued competency will facilitate reactivation of a nurse's license, provided that the Board of Nursing establishes certain standards for the course and program components necessary to measure competency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2296, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair