STAND. COM. REP. NO.  923

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 55

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 55 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to address youth suicide in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Establishing a statewide Youth Suicide Early

          Intervention and Prevention Program (Program); and

     (2)  Appropriating funds to the Department of Health for the

          Program. 

     Mental Health Association of Hawaii/Mental Health America, Hawaii Psychological Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Oahu, Hawaii Suicide Prevention Steering Committee and Task Force, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the intent of this measure. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to

          encourage further discussion;

     (2)  Extending the sunset date to June 30, 2022; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style,

          clarity, and consistency.

     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. 55, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 55, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair