STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1303

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 330

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 330, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUICIDE PREVENTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to support youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives in Kauai and Hawaii counties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Honolulu County Republican Party, Mental Health America of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawaii Family Forum, Parents and Children Together, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that suicide is the leading cause of injury related deaths for 15 to 24 year olds in Hawaii. For every child who dies from suicide, an estimated 238 more are hospitalized for suicide related injuries. However, your Committee further finds that youth suicide may be preventable when communities have sufficient resources in place to support early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives. Youth suicide rates are significantly higher on neighbor islands compared to Oahu and therefore your Committee believes funding youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education programs for all three neighbor island counties will target areas with the greatest need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding an appropriation of an unspecified amount to support youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives in Maui County; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 330, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 330, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair