STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1499

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 578

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 578, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve student health.

 

     More specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Requires a child to provide written documentation of a physical examination performed within the twelve months prior to attending seventh grade;

 

     (2)  Provides for provisional attendance if a physical examination is scheduled; and

 

     (3)  Makes an appropriation for implementation of this measure. 

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics-Hawaii Chapter, University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and one individual.   

 

     Your Committee finds that students are only required to undergo a physical examination prior to entering kindergarten or first entering the public school system.  Your Committee believes that many other states and private schools have additional physical examination requirements that allow for immunization updates, wellness screenings, and health counseling.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will improve student health because it will promote doctor visits for children, many of whom only visit a doctor for emergencies or acute illnesses.  

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 578, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair