STAND. COM. REP. NO. 810

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 979

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 979, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to preserve and protect the lives our children and young adults by establishing a youth suicide early intervention and prevention program in Hawaii.

     Comments in support of this measure were received from the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Suicide Prevention, Education, Awareness, Research Foundation, Suicide Prevention Steering Committee and Task Force, and a concerned individual.  The Department of Education submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that youth suicide has increased nationally in the last decade and that Hawaii youth have reported the highest rates of suicidal ideation on survey questions pertaining to suicide and depression.

     Your Committee also finds that many states have already developed comprehensive statewide strategies that seek to provide effective youth suicide early intervention and prevention services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 979, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair