STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2913

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2506

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2506, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the use of moneys in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund for capital improvement projects.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the use of moneys in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund to finance capital improvements for mental health and substance abuse programs operated by the State; and

(2) Requires the Department of Health to identify and submit a report to the Legislature on capital improvement projects for which these special fund moneys should be used.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Hawaii State Rural Health Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, McKenna Recovery Center, Partners in Care, The Queen's Health Systems, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that planning for and funding improvements to the State's mental health and substance abuse treatment infrastructure will enhance the State's ability to provide these services and improve the well-being of persons who need treatment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2506, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2506, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair