STAND. COM. REP. NO.  830-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2522

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2522, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve the overall continuum of care through the Hawaii Coordinated Access Resource Entry System (CARES), by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Health to establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide by:

 

          (A)  Repurposing unused state facilities for short-term residential use by non-forensic patients experiencing substance use or mental health conditions; and

 

          (B)  Assessing and triaging these patients to a clinically appropriate level of care through CARES; and

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds for this purpose.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Psychological Association, and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Health, and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2522, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair