Bill Text: HI HR158 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Conduct A Study Of Alternative Pathways To Licensure For Foreign-trained Dentists And Physicians.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-11 - Referred to HLT/IAC, CPC, referral sheet 40 [HR158 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HR158-Introduced.html

---

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	158
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of commerce and consumer affairs to conduct a study of alternative pathways to licensure for foreign-trained dentists and PHYSICIANS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, there are a number of foreign-trained dentists and physicians living in Hawaii who are unable to practice their profession because their training and education were conducted outside the United States and do not meet the State's licensing requirements; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, has designated various communities throughout Hawaii as Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, a number of states have begun exploring alternative pathways for foreign-trained dental and medical professionals; and

 

     WHEREAS, Minnesota has prohibited disqualification of internationally educated dental graduates solely because of their foreign training since the early 2000's and, in 2014, established the Foreign Trained Physician Task Force to develop strategies to integrate physicians into the Minnesota health care delivery system; and

 

     WHEREAS, Massachusetts created a commission this year to, among other things, address barriers to practice for foreign-trained health professions and to make recommendations on strategies to integrate foreign-trained medical professionals into rural and underserved areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, allowing foreign-trained dentists and physicians living in Hawaii to practice in this State could help mitigate the current physician shortages being experienced in certain geographical areas and increase access to primary health services; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to conduct a study on alternative pathways to licensure for foreign-trained dentists and physicians, including options utilized by other states; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to include in its study any recommended changes to the licensing process that could be implemented by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs or respective licensing boards without legislative action; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than forty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

DCCA; Study; Foreign-trained Physicians