STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2593

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2505

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2505 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Health to establish a continuum of stabilization beds statewide for non-forensic patients with substance abuse or mental health disorders, or both, by repurposing unused state facilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Emergency Services Department of the City and County of Honolulu; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Community Alliance on Prisons; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; Mental Health America of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Partners in Care; Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Psychological Association; Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the intersection of homelessness and behavioral health conditions is a crisis in Hawaii, which contributes to Hawaii having the second highest rate of homelessness in the nation. Unfortunately, there is currently no coordinated system of stabilization from the streets that assesses for and links to the next level of clinical care. The current options for those needing stabilization from substance use, mental health, and homelessness are stretched, as emergency facilities throughout the State have experienced substantial increases in psychiatric emergency admissions, resulting in overcrowding and unsafe environments for patients and medical staff. This measure seeks to significantly improve the State's mental health system by providing a coordinated continuum of care for both behavioral health conditions and homelessness.

Your Committee further notes that Leahi Hospital and Maluhia have been identified as state facilities that may be utilized to provide the appropriate continuum of care services for adults as well as geriatric patients.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 S.B. No. 2505, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2505, 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