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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2349 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the timely treatment of chronic substance abusers significantly reduces emergency and medical costs, as well as homelessness and arrest rates. In the three-years following state funding cutbacks in substance abuse and mental health services in 2009, emergency room charges for persons with severe mental illness and substance abuse increased forty-six per cent to nearly $31,700,000 and inpatient charges for the same population rose nearly 22.6 per cent to nearly $66,700,000.
During fiscal year 2013-2014, state drug and alcohol treatment funding was further reduced by $404,000 as a result of federal sequester cuts. This resulted in the loss of treatment services for more than one hundred individuals with substance abuse disorders. This loss of services will cost Hawaii millions of dollars during the next three years in terms of increased costs associated with the inappropriate use of emergency and hospital services, increased incarceration rates, and adverse impacts on tourism and local businesses.
The legislature further finds that the number of homeless persons in Hawaii who suffer from substance abuse and mental illness has increased during the past several years. The 2013 Point in Time Count, which measures the State's homeless population on a specific day, showed an 11.9 per cent year-over-year rise in severely mentally ill homeless persons and a one hundred twenty-six per cent increase in homeless persons with chronic substance abuse problems, even though several thousand homeless substance abusers were excluded from this study because they were enrolled in residential substance abuse treatment programs or were residing in temporary housing situations.
Recent data from the Honolulu police department emergency psychological service and jail diversion program indicate that between 2010 and 2012, arrests of homeless persons tripled overall, while arrests of homeless people with substance abuse and mental illness quadrupled. In 2012, forty-four per cent of arrestees on Oahu suffered from severe substance abuse, severe mental illness, or both.
The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for a statewide pilot program to treat chronic, substance-dependent adults.
SECTION 2. The department of health shall establish a statewide pilot program to provide treatment services, including individual, group, and family counseling; intensive care management and referral; medication management; cognitive-behavioral skill training; daily living skills; and supportive services, including housing assistance, employment training, job placement, and continuing care support, to chronic, substance-dependent adults.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the pilot program described in section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2150.
Report Title:
Drug and Alcohol Treatment; Substance Abuse; Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for a pilot program to provide treatment and supportive services to chronic, substance-dependent adults. Effective July 1, 2150. (SB2349 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.