THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2505

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 90, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, established the involuntary hospitalization task force and Act 263, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, established a working group to evaluate current behavioral health care and related systems, including existing resources, systems gaps, and identification of action steps that could be taken to improve the overall system of care.  The findings from these initiatives highlight the need in Hawaii for a coordinated network of stabilization beds that will allow triage, clinical assessment, and recommendation for the next level of care for those struggling with substance use, mental health conditions, and homelessness.

     The National Coalition for the Homeless has found that sixty-four per cent of homeless individuals are dependent on alcohol or other substances.  In Hawaii, the Oahu homeless point in time count reported that 36.4 per cent of homeless single adults suffer from some type of mental illness.  The intersection of homelessness and behavioral health conditions are a crisis in Hawaii, which contributes to Hawaii having the second highest rate of homelessness in the nation.  Unfortunately, there is currently no coordinated system of stabilization from the streets that assesses for and links to the next level of clinical care.

     The legislature additionally finds that the current options for those needing stabilization from substance use, mental health, and homelessness are stretched and emergency facilities throughout the State have experienced substantial increases in psychiatric emergency admissions, which has resulted in overcrowding and unsafe environments for patients and medical staff.

     The legislature also finds that comprehensive crisis response and stabilization services are crucial elements of the continuum of care.  Reducing unnecessary transportation to emergency departments and appropriately placing clients in more suitable levels of care will improve outcomes for consumers, reduce inpatient hospital stays, and facilitate access to other behavioral health services.

     The Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system provides access to substance use treatment and behavioral health services.  The goal of the system is to implement a synchronized system of care rather than an assortment of independent services.  Additionally, the Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system has identified that the lack of stabilization beds is a significant gap in services during its first three months of operation.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the department of health to establish short‑term residential beds for the purpose of stabilization from mental health and substance use and to assess patients and triage to clinically appropriate level of care through the Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds.

     SECTION 2.  The department of health shall establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide for non-forensic patients with substance abuse or mental health disorders, or both, by repurposing unused state facilities.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the department of health to establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide for non-forensic patients with substance abuse or mental health disorders, or both, by repurposing unused state facilities.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Health; Stabilization Beds; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Health to establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide for non-forensic patients with substance abuse or mental health disorders, or both, by repurposing unused state facilities.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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