STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1164-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2886

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2886, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGE OF CONSENT FOR ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reduce barriers in accessing mental health services for adolescents by lowering the age of consent from eighteen years old to twelve years old for minors to receive mental health treatment or counseling services provided by a licensed mental health professional.

The Department of Health, The Judiciary, Department of Human Services, Office of Youth Services, Child & Family Service, Hawaii Psychological Association, Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, Inc., Hawaii Youth Services Network, Big Island Teen Counseling Center, and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  A few individuals opposed this measure.  The Department of Education and Hawaii Family Advocates commented on this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to January 7, 2112, to facilitate further discussion; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity.

     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. 2886, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2886, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair