S.R. 59 Summary

• Department of Health is requested to establish a certification process, oversight board, and reimbursement process for community health workers in Hawaii.

• Two-tier certification system recommended based on work and education experience, with retroactive certification for workers with at least 80 hours of training and 2,000 hours of prior experience.

• Oversight body should provide input to the Legislature and oversee community health workers; multiple payment sources encouraged for reimbursement.

• Core competency standards for certification should include communication skills, cultural competency, resource knowledge, advocacy, care coordination, health education, outreach methods, ethics, and health information technology.

• Department encouraged to consult with other state departments, agencies, and community stakeholders during development of certification, oversight, and reimbursement processes.