05-05-08 Autism Legislation - Thank you!!!

Hi, everyone!

As most of you probably already know, the autism insurance bills/resolutions did fairly well. Here's what happened...

If you recall, we had 4 different measures in the legislature:
1. HB2727 (Dylan's Law)
2. SB2532 (Senate companion for Dylan's Law)
3. HCR62 (Auditor's review of Dylan's Law)
4. SCR196 (Auditor's review, Senate version)

HB2727 was turned into a Task Force (all the mandates were taken out). This bill passed the House, Senate, and the Conference Committee. The Governor's signature is needed for this one.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/HB2727_CD1_.htm

SB2532 was at first deferred (pending the auditor's review), but was then revived and amended for SCR196. They took out the new definition for "medically necessary" so that it wouldn't conflict with the current definition in Hawaii's statute. All the other insurance mandates are still in the bill. This bill did not pass through the legislature, only the Senate Health Committee.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/SB2532_SD1_.pdf

HCR62 was amended and is now something completely different. They didn't need this one to pass since SCR196 passed through.

SCR196 passed the House and Senate, with SB2532 as the basis for the auditor's review. This one doesn't need the Governor's signature.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/SCR196_SD1_.pdf

What happens now:

The auditor's review will be done - this is needed before any insurance mandates in Hawaii. The State Auditor's office will look at SB2532 for this study. Hopefully, the auditor's study will come back favorable and the premiums will not be found to increase very much. This report must be completed 20 days prior to the start of the 2009 session (in January 2009).

The Task Force will look at Hawaii's capacity with regard to autism services, and their report also must be completed 20 days prior to the start of the 2009 session.

Thank you everyone, for all of your support!!! See you at the Autism Walk on June 14th at Magic Island!!!! www.walknowforautism.org/hawaii

Mahalo!
Kalma