STAND. COM. REP. NO. 308

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 428

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 428 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure that individuals living in rural areas of the State have access to appropriate mental health care services.

     The measure attempts to accomplish this purpose by authorizing appropriately trained and supervised licensed medical psychologists working in federally qualified health centers to prescribe psychotropic medications for the treatment of mental illness.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the American Psychological Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Mental Health America of Hawaii, the National Association of Social Workers, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waimanalo Health Center, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Na Pu'uwai Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Lanai Community Health Center, Molokai Community Health Center, Psychological Resources of Hawaii, and Koolauloa Community Health and Wellness Center.

     Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the American Psychiatric Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, and Psychologists Opposed to Prescription Privileges for Psychologists.

     Comments on this measure were submitted by the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Medical Board, and Board of Psychology.

     Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that allowing appropriately licensed and trained psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications will address the urgent need for timely, appropriate, and cost-effective mental health and pharmacological services for an underserved population.  Your Committee finds that the federally qualified health centers are most in need of psychologists with prescriptive authority and would achieve the largest impact for individuals in need of these services.

     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. 428 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair