STAND. COM. REP. NO. 11

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 580

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 580 entitled:

 

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

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to allow minors to receive mental health counseling and therapy without parental consent from mental health professionals who have not yet achieved licensure but are working under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, when such treatment is clinically indicated.

 

     The LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Rainbow Family 808, and many individuals testified in support of this measure.  One individual testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Health and Hawaii Psychological Association submitted comments.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adopting language proposed by the Department of Health to further clarify the definition of a mental health professional;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 580, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 580, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness,

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair