Bills of interest for Friday, January 28, 2011

COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
9:00 A.M. TO 12 NOON
ROOM 309
Hearing Notice

HB268 RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Allows counties to conduct criminal history record checks on certain: 1) liquor commission employees and prospective employees; 2) prospective employees working with vulnerable adults or seniors; and 3) prospective fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management employees. (SAY BR)

HB385 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Authorizes nonsupervisory legislative employees to unionize through the card check and expedited bargaining process. (RHOADS)

HB467 RELATING TO WHISTLEBLOWERS’ PROTECTION
Provides additional protection to public employees who report violations of the law. Expands the department of labor and industrial relations' responsibilities regarding whistleblowers. (WOOLEY)

HB546 RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression as a public policy matter and specifically with regard to employment. (B.OSHIRO)


COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE/COMMITTEE ON WATER, LAND & OCEAN RESOURCES
9:00 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M.
ROOM 312

INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING – Update to the Legislature on Invasive Species. Presenters include Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and Nature Conservancy.


COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
9:30 A.M.
ROOM 329
Hearing Notice

HB512 RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE
Requires policies of accident and health or sickness insurance to provide coverage for palliative care. Defines palliative care. (M.LEE)

HB247 RELATING TO INVOLUNTARY HOSPITALIZATION
Permits involuntary hospitalization in a psychiatric facility of a sexually violent predator. Defines sexually violent predator. (SAY BR)

HB409 RELATING TO TAX CREDITS
Creates a tax credit for certain employers who offer their employees a qualified wellness program. (SAY BR)

HB615 RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH
Adds crisis substance abuse and alcohol treatment as a covered benefit. Amends the definition of "serious mental illness" to "severe mental illness" and to include major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorders. Requires department of health to include in its crisis hotline program for emergency intervention services trained and certified professionals. Prohibits the adult mental health services program from limiting the number of hours of treatment per patient and requires case managers to be assigned based on the DSM IV. Establishes an assertive community treatment program under DOH. Makes appropriation to the DOH to establish a community care crisis center. (CULLEN)

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
11:00 A.M.
ROOM 312
Hearing Notice

HB290 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE
Establishes the Agriculture Inspection and Certification Special Fund under the Department of Agriculture for the inspection, certification, weighing, or grading of agricultural commodities that are to be imported into, exported from, or shipped within the state. Deposits all fees, civil penalties, and other moneys collected by DOA into the Special Fund. Allows DOA to enter into agreements with government and private agencies to hire and pay inspectors to perform certification and audit services, maintain food safety, and establish and maintain an Internet food safety promotional and reporting system. Repeals the Certification Services Revolving Fund. Requires the establishment or increase of certain fees to cover the operation and maintenance costs of agriculture inspection and certification programs, and central services and departmental administrative expense assessments. Appropriates funds for DOA's agriculture inspection and certification program. (TSUJI)

HB701 RELATING TO SCHOOLS
Requires the DOE to purchase agricultural products for school meals programs that have a farm within a school's regional administrative district. Requires the agriculture education program to arrange for opportunities for students to work, volunteer, or study on farms within a school's regional administrative district. (CARROLL)


COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
ROOM 325

INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING – Update to the Legislature on the development of public housing/affordable rentals. Invited to present are Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Housing Cooperatives, Department of Human Services/Office of Housing Services, Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation

COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
3:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
ROOM 325

INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING – Update to the Legislature on Foreclosures and related issue, including 1)non-judicial foreclosures and foreclosure issues outside of the condominium arena; 2)Mortgage servicers; and 3)publication of foreclosed properties in state and county newspapers.