Report Title:

Mental Health Services

Description:

Mandates agencies and government entities that require or deliver mental health services to create and implement a unified system of delivery of care and services.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2355
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to mental health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that mental health services in the State are currently delivered from a number of different sources.  There is concern that those in need of mental health services routinely experience delays, denial of eligibility, and confusion concerning which agency is responsible for providing care. 

     The legislature also finds that inadequate coordination of mental health services must be addressed to ensure that those in need of such services receive them in a timely manner.

     The purpose of this Act is to mandate that agencies and government entities that require or deliver mental health services in the State create and implement a unified delivery system of mental health care and services by July 1, 2010.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with the purpose of this Act, the following entities shall create and implement a unified delivery system for mental health services by July 1, 2010:

     (1)  The department of health, specifically:

         (A)  Adult mental health division;

         (B)  Child and adolescent mental health division;

         (C)  Alcohol and drug abuse division;

         (D)  Early intervention section;

         (E)  Family guidance center;

         (F)  Hawaii state hospital;

     (2)  The department of education, specifically:

         (A)  Comprehensive student support system; and

         (B)  School based behavioral health programs;

     (3)  The health care division of the department of public safety;

     (4)  The judiciary; and

     (5)  The University of Hawaii student health services.

     The department of health shall be tasked with coordinating the efforts of the above agencies and governmental entities and shall work on an administrative level to the extent possible to carry out the purpose of this Act. 

     The department of health shall submit a report, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session. 

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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