STAND. COM. REP. NO. 155

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 1448

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1448 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a working group to evaluate current system gaps in behavioral health care and related systems, and determine steps that may be taken by the State to promote effective integration of behavioral health care and related systems to address the negative impacts of substance abuse, mental health conditions, and homelessness.

The Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and a few individuals testified in support of this measure. The Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness provided comments.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Including a representative of the Interagency Council on Homelessness as a member of the working group;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committees encourage the Department of Health to explore additional sources of funding, including federal funds, for this study. Your Committees also note a need for greater representation from the counties and urges the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce to take up this issue.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1448, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1448, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness,

______________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair