STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3410

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 35

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 35, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize expenditures from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund to be used for capital improvement projects.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Department of Health; Hawaii Psychological Association; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center; Partners in Care; Manini Holdings; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation; Kohala Coast Resort Association; The Queen's Health Systems; Hope Services Hawaii; and seven individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that subacute residential stabilization services, otherwise known as crisis stabilization beds, and transitional placement will bridge the gap for individuals in crisis for whom acute inpatient hospitalization is unnecessary and provide the needed environments where individuals with severe and persistent mental illness are able to live semiindependently with access to higher levels of care when they start to decompensate.  However, Hawaii's treatment resources do not currently include crisis stabilization beds or supported transition units.  Therefore, it is necessary to find ways to identify underutilized state facilities and existing resources to expand program operations for crisis stabilization beds and transitional placement units.

 

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Health provided testimony that highlights that utilizing the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund to support new capital improvement projects, including sub-acute stabilization services, and sustain existing program operations will enhance the State's current care continuum.  Additionally, the Department of Health's testimony expressed concerns requesting that any additional appropriations made through this measure do not supplant budget priorities identified by the Governor's executive budget.  Your Committee also notes its support for the conversion of the old Kona courthouse in Kealakekua next to the Kona Community Hospital into a treatment facility for drug addiction, mental illness, and stabilization services for the homeless population and those in need.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 35, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair