STAND. COM. REP. NO. 401

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1036

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1036 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure that individuals and families in need of mental health and drug and alcohol dependence services are able to obtain the appropriate treatment.

     The measure accomplishes this purpose by including licensed Marriage and Family Therapists as a covered benefit under mental health and alcohol and drug abuse treatment insurance benefits.

     Your Committee received the following testimony for S.B. No. 53, which also applies to this similar measure.  Therefore, supporting testimony was received from Hawaii County Council-Council member for District 6, Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Chaminade University, Hawaii Psychological Association, Mental Health Kokua, Argosy University, Aloha House Maui, Hale Ipu Kukui Alakai, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center, The Salvation Army-Addiction Treatment Services, Mental Health America of Hawaii, and seventy-two individuals.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted testimony with comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that mental health disorders and alcohol and drug dependency negatively affect the entire family.  Your Committee further finds that Hawaii has a severe shortage of mental health care providers.

     Your Committee believes that having such services covered as a health insurance benefit would facilitate their afflicted use, resulting in more persons seeking assistance.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1036 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair