STAND. COM. REP. NO. 222

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 563

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 563 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Public Safety to establish a mental health first aid training program that includes mandatory eight-hour sessions triennially for law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, and other public safety officials to teach skills used for identifying and assisting individuals with mental health disorders and crises.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Community Alliance on Prisons, Remington College Honolulu Criminal Justice Student Coalition, and ten individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committees find that there has been a rise in the number of inmates with mental health disorders.  This escalation requires Department of Public Safety staff to be properly trained to handle incidents involving inmates with mental health disorders.  Increasing awareness of, promotion of education on, and knowledge of mental health problems will provide a safer workplace for law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, and other public safety officials and ensure the safety of inmates with mental health disorders.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 563 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health,

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair