Proposed Testimony for SB619 - APRN Fitness to Proceed Examinations in Court Proceedings

Please provide your input to the testimony proposed to be submitted to the legislature for hearings.

Written Testimony Presented Before the

Senate Committee on Health 

Hearing: February 16, 2021, 9:00 AM

Via Videoconference 

By Hawaiʻi – American Nurses Association (Hawaii-ANA) 

Chair Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair Rosalyn H. Baker, and members of the Senate Committee on Health, thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in strong support for SB619. This measure, SB619 proposes amendments to provisions concerning fitness to proceed examinations in criminal proceedings to include qualified advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) or advanced practice registered nurses who hold an accredited national certification in an advanced practice registered nurse psychiatric specialization as the Department of Health may determines a list of certified examiners from which an examiner for this purpose may be appointed.  SB619 would broaden the list of certified examiners which may be appointed for this purpose, improving access to this required service and facilitating court proceedings in cases where a determination of a defendant’s mental fitness is required by the court.  

This change is in keeping with previous Bills passed by the Legislature that have included APRNs in the lists of qualified, licensed healthcare practitioners who are authorized to provide such services throughout our community. Improving access to these services where previously there have been shortages resulting in delays and detrimental effects experieinced by the vulnerable in our communities, has been the goal of these changes.

Hawai’i-ANA is the state constituent of the American Nurses Association, advocating for the improvement of health in our communities through public support for measures to address the needs of vulnerable populations.  We join with our nurse colleagues throughout the State of Hawaiʻi in supporting this measure. 

Hawaiʻi-ANA respectfully requests that SB619 be passed through this committee. Thank you for your continued support for measures that address the need for improving access to professional healthcare services in our community.