STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3619

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 534, 535

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 534 and 535, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai'i Service Area Board

G.M. No. 534	DIANA SANCHEZ, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 535	DIANA SANCHEZ, for a term to expire 06-30-2026,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Diana Sanchez for service on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Diana Sanchez from the Department of Health and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Sanchez's experience as a mother of a child with a mental illness, commitment to public service, and dedication to improving the lives of those living with mental illness, qualify her for appointment and reappointment to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board. Ms. Sanchez is a mother who has provided over twenty years of direct care and support to her adult son who was diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Although she has been retired for several years, Ms. Sanchez has remained active in her community pursuing projects that she is passionate about. As an active volunteer with the Hawaii National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), she facilitates the monthly NAMI Family Support Group and presents at NAMI signature classes for Family-to-Family and Family and Friends. Ms. Sanchez has worked with other NAMI Hawaii members to develop a pilot project for Assisted Community Treatment. Your Committee further finds that section 334-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that one member be a service area resident who is a consumer or non-provider of mental health services. Ms. Sanchez's service on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board would fulfill this requirement. Your Committee therefore recommends that Diana Sanchez be appointed and reappointed to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Hawai‘i Service Area Board based on her experience caring for a family member with a mental illness and commitment to improving the lives of those living with mental illness.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair