STAND. COM. REP. NO. 920

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1051

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1051, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to establish a task force to determine specific implementation requirements necessary to establish a pilot program to provide shelter and mental health treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness or severe co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders who are subject to court-ordered guardianship.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Partners in Care, Honolulu County Republican Party, Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force, The Salvation Army, and three individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from Mental Health America of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees find that homelessness is one of the State's most significant and challenging social concerns.  Many of the individuals experiencing homelessness are severely mentally ill and suffer from psychosis, hallucinations, and other serious mental illnesses.  Because of their physical and mental health challenges, these individuals often burden the health care system through frequent use of emergency services.  This measure establishes a task force to examine best practices necessary to establish a pilot program to provide assistance and stability to homeless individuals with severe mental illness as they receive treatment while living in a safe and supportive setting.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1051, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair