HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2349
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIAL FUND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to address an unmet need in the State for high acuity and high cost patients with chronic substance abuse and mental health disorders. Subacute residential stabilization services, otherwise known as crisis stabilization beds, will bridge the gap for individuals in crisis for whom acute inpatient hospitalization is unnecessary and lower level residential and community treatment modalities are insufficient.

Individuals who will benefit from crisis stabilization beds enter and re-enter the health care system through emergency departments, often under a designation for emergency examination pursuant to section 334-59, Hawaii Revised Statutes, more commonly known as "MH-1." Upon discharge, but before long-term rehabilitation and treatment may continue, some patients will require several days or weeks to de-escalate from their crisis in a controlled environment. However, Hawaii's treatment resources do not currently include crisis stabilization beds.

The department of health proposes to invest in existing state facilities that have underutilized bed space to create an inventory of crisis stabilization beds. This Act authorizes the mental health and substance abuse special fund to be used for capital improvements. Due to focused efforts over the last several years to maximize billing and reimbursement, the mental health and substance abuse special fund can sustain both existing program operations and new capital improvements related to crisis stabilization beds.

SECTION 2. Section 334-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) There is established a special fund to be known as the mental health and substance abuse special fund into which shall be deposited all revenues and other moneys collected from certification programs and treatment services rendered by the mental health and substance abuse programs operated by the State. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department is authorized to establish separate accounts within the special fund for depositing moneys received from certification programs and from each mental health and substance abuse program. Moneys deposited into the respective accounts of each program shall be used for the payment of the operating expenses or capital improvements of the respective program."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund; Capital Improvement Projects

Description:

Authorizes expenditures from the mental health and substance abuse special fund to be used for capital improvement projects.

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