STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1070-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2424

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Intrastate Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2424, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify the definition of the practice of medicine to provide uniformity of practice for medical physicians and osteopathic physicians.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Board, and Hawaii Medical Association.

 

     Your Committees find that the definition of "practice of medicine" was amended in 2008 by adding a separate, distinct definition of "osteopathic medicine".  Since medical physicians and osteopathic physicians receive the same training, this distinction is unnecessary.  This measure therefore brings the definition of the practice of medicine to parity with the current practice of medicine and provides uniformity for medical physicians and osteopathic physicians.

 

     Your Committees further find that the current practice of medicine includes the treatment of disease and includes additional services that are now commonplace in the practice of modern medicine.  Accordingly, this measure also expands the scope of practice of medicine beyond merely treating disease, which will provide the Regulated Industries Complaints Office with tangible grounds for evaluating physician compliance with licensure laws and enable the Office to better target and enjoin unlicensed practices and behaviors.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Intrastate Commerce that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2424, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2424, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Intrastate Commerce,

 

 

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair