THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2387
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that school physical examinations are currently only conducted upon entry into the public school system, usually in kindergarten.  The expansion of physical examination requirements for public school students will help reinforce a culture of wellness and preventative health care in the State.  Furthermore, for children and adolescents who are obese, an additional physical examination visit provides an opportunity for the health care provider to assess the possible causes of obesity and develop a plan to support family-based lifestyle changes.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the provision of written documentation of a physical examination performed within twelve months prior to attending seventh grade at a public school.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-1159, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-1159  Physical examination required.  (a)  No child shall attend any school for the first time in the State unless the child presents to the appropriate school official a report from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse of the results of a physical examination performed within [a year of] twelve months before the date of attendance at school.  A child may attend school provisionally upon submitting written documentation from a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or other authorized representative of the department of health stating that the child is in the process of undergoing a physical examination.  Further documentation showing that the required physical examination has been completed shall be submitted to the appropriate school official no later than three months after the child first attends the school.

     (b)  Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, every child entering seventh grade shall present to the appropriate school official written documentation from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse showing completion of a physical examination performed within twelve months before the date of attendance.  The department shall send notification of the physical examination requirement to the child's parents or guardians, upon the child's entrance into sixth grade, and post the requirement on the department's website.  By December 31 of each year, the department shall provide to the department of health a list of students attending seventh grade who have not submitted appropriate written documentation, along with directory information as allowed under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§321-    Department of education student physical examination follow-up assistance and consultations.  (a)  No later than the end of the seventh grade school year, the department of health shall contact the parents or guardians of students listed pursuant to section 302A-1159(b) and provide information to assist those persons in obtaining a physical examination for the student pursuant to section 302A-1159(b).

     (b)  Subject to the availability of funds, the department of health shall also provide follow-up notice to or consultations with the parents or guardians of the students contacted pursuant to subsection (a) on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and preventative health care and the availability of health care coverage under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or medicaid."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Physical Examination; Education; Health

 

Description:

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, requires a child to provide written documentation of a physical examination performed within twelve months prior to attending seventh grade at a public school.  Requires DOH to provide information to assist students who do not complete the physical exam before December 31 of the seventh grade year and also requires DOH to provide consultations with those students' parents and guardians about health lifestyles and obtaining health insurance.  (CD1)

 

 

 

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