STAND. COM. REP. NO. 392-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2522

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2522 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the overall continuum of care through comprehensive crisis response and stabilization services through the Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system (CARES), by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Health to establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide by:

(A) Repurposing unused state facilities for short-term residential use by non-forensic patients experiencing substance use or mental health conditions; and

(B) Assessing and triaging these patients to a clinically appropriate level of care through CARES; and

(2) Appropriating funds for this purpose.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Honolulu Emergency Services Department of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Democratic Party of Hawaii; Mental Health America of Hawaii; Americans for Democratic Action; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Partners in Care; Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center; The Queen's Health Systems; Hope Services Hawaii, Inc.; and numerous individuals.

Your Committees find that the lack of short-term stabilization services throughout the State creates unnecessary burdens on emergency departments, law enforcement, and individuals living with behavioral health issues. Your Committees recognize the need for enhanced stabilization services to help individuals in severe distress deescalate the severity of their crisis and prevent the need for higher levels of care through hospitalization or the criminal justice system.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2522, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2522, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair

____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair