Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2762 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the sunset provision contained in Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 1988 ("Act 202"), as amended by various subsequent Acts, until July 1, 2004.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Psychological Association, Equal Insurance Coalition, the Mental Health Association in Hawaii, the National Association of Social Workers, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and a concerned citizen. The Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association submitted comments. The Hawaii Medical Association submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

Your Committee finds that the disabilities caused by untreated mental illness and substance abuse are extremely costly in both monetary and human terms.

Your Committee further finds that the mental health and alcohol and drug abuse treatment insurance benefits established by Act 202 have been beneficial. Therefore, your Committee agrees with the intent of this measure, and further believes that Act 202's sunset date should be repealed. Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2762, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2762, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.