HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

255

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM TASK FORCE ON THE ACCESSIBILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF THE STATE AUTHORIZING TRAINED AND SUPERVISED PSYCHOLOGISTS TO SAFELY PRESCRIBE PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

 

 

WHEREAS, there have been legislative proposals to give psychologists prescriptive authority; and

WHEREAS, there have been disputes as to the adequacy of training and education in order for psychologists to prescribe; and

WHEREAS, concerns have been expressed about the safety to patients; and

WHEREAS, the legislature desires to have both the psychiatrists and psychologists, through their respective associations, to commence meaningful discussions to explore solutions to some of the issues mentioned above; and

WHEREAS, timely, efficient and cost-effective treatment of mental illnesses in federally qualified health centers could avoid the significantly greater social, economic, and medical costs of non-treatment for these under-served populations; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine addiction and other related substance abuse issues have contributed significantly to an unprecedented demand for services from an already overtaxed mental health system; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, an interim Task Force on the Accessibility of Mental Health Care (Task Force) is established to consider solutions to provide adequate quality mental health care in medically under-served areas of Hawaii by mental health professionals which include psychiatrists and psychologists; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall be six members in total to include only the following:

(1) Two designees of the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association;

(2) Two designees of the Hawaii Psychological Association;

(3) Chairperson of the House Committee on Health or the Chairperson's designee; and

(4) Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health or the Chairperson's designee;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force submit a report of its discussions, and any findings and recommendations, to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Executive Director of the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Psychological Association.

 

Report Title:

Task Force; Psychologists; Prescriptive Authority