THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2735
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS STABILIZATION BEDS.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are gaps in the State's system to treat individuals with severe behavioral health needs who may not require emergency room-level crisis care. One such gap is the limited number of behavioral health crisis stabilization beds that use intensive case management services to help stabilize these individuals.

As noted in a 2018 Journal of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology article entitled "Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Centers: A New Normal", there has been a promising shift in resources and funding from institutionalized care to crisis stabilization centers. However, the crisis stabilization center approach has been underfunded and often results in individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis seeking treatment at hospital emergency rooms and utilizing a great amount of health care resources with short-term outcomes. Studies have shown that the cost of crisis stabilization centers is significantly less than emergency rooms and psychiatric inpatient units. The legislature finds that the department of health is currently exploring options to increase the number of behavioral health crisis stabilization beds across the State and estimates that the cost will be at least $11,000,000.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the adult mental health division of the department of health to support increased behavioral health crisis stabilization beds.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for behavioral health crisis stabilization beds.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health adult mental health division for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Beds; Department of Health; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to support increased behavioral health crisis stabilization beds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.