Sunrise Analysis: Regulation of Community Health Workers

A Report to the Governor and the Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i

Hawaii State Auditor Report No. 22-08, Sept, 2022

Foreword

Our Sunrise Analysis of the Regulation of Community Health Workers was conducted pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2, Senate Draft 1 (2022 Regular Session), which requested the Auditor to conduct a sunrise review of the licensure and regulation of community health workers as proposed under Senate Bill No. 2882, also introduced during the 2022 Regular Session. Senate Bill No. 2882 proposes a regulatory framework that includes the creation of a licensing board and requirements for licensure….

Conclusion

The Hawai‘i Regulatory Licensing Reform Act requires that professions should be regulated only when reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of consumers of their services. Furthermore, the law states that “the purpose of regulation shall be the protection of the public welfare and not that of the regulated profession or vocation.” Senate Bill No. 2882 appears intended to benefit the profession, recognizing the important work community health workers perform to help individuals navigate medical and social service systems and live healthier lifestyles; it does not suggest that regulation is needed for consumer protection, and we do not believe that the types of services in the bill for which certification would be required are such that reasonably endanger the health, safety, or welfare of those benefiting from the services.…

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