Bill Text: HI SCR152 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 152 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Urging State And Private Health Care Networks To Allow Sick Employees To Take Time Off Without Fear Of Retaliation Or Retribution.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-16 - The hearing on this measure has been cancelled until further notice. [SCR152 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SCR152-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	152
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging state and private health care networks to allow sick employees to take time off without fear of retaliation or retribution.

WHEREAS, the maintenance and safeguarding of public health is a top priority for the State; and

WHEREAS, the consequences in failing to maintain the general health of the population falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable community members, such as keiki and kupuna; and

WHEREAS, the State's extensive networks of public and private health care providers are tasked with the responsibility to prevent and respond to the health care needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, the dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, and others stand at the forefront of quick and effective medical responses, thereby constituting the backbone of the health care system; and

WHEREAS, health care workers are routinely exposed to sick patients and are at risk of becoming sick themselves; and

WHEREAS, there is currently a global health emergency regarding the emergence and spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, as of March 4, 2020, the spread of COVID-19 has reached more than seventy-five nations and territories; and

WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, as of March 4, 2020, there are more than 92,800 confirmed global cases of COVID-19 and at least 3,200 deaths worldwide from COVID‑19; and

WHEREAS, the world is increasingly becoming more and more interconnected; and

WHEREAS, the rise and perpetuation of air travel has allowed for more people to travel beyond their immediate borders and has facilitated easier spreading of dangerous diseases and pathogens; and

WHEREAS, the State relies heavily on international tourism as an important source of revenue; and

WHEREAS, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in the year 2020, Hawaii is expected to see a 2.5 percent increase in visitor arrivals; and

WHEREAS, while the State currently has no confirmed cases of COVID-19, the projected influx of foreign arrivals poses a reasonable risk; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no vaccine or cure for COVID‑19; and

WHEREAS, currently, health care networks often rely on strict policies that punish health care workers for taking time off in the event of them falling ill; and

WHEREAS, one such policy punishes workers for an "excess" of "two occurrences of absence within one month or two occurrences of tardiness within 14 consecutive days"; and

WHEREAS, this "[i]mproper or excessive absence . . . may result in corrective action or denial of request for time off"; and

WHEREAS, "[e]ligibility for transfer, changes in regularly scheduled hours, promotions and employment status may also be affected"; and

WHEREAS, such practices compel health care workers to continue working with critically ill patients, even while they are sick; and

WHEREAS, the quality of health care will subsequently be negatively impacted, both on the health care worker and patient; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that state and private health care networks are urged to allow sick employees to take time off for illness without fear of retaliation or retribution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state and private health care networks are urged to review their attendance policies in light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and heads of all state and private health care networks.