STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3062

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2529

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2529, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Health to expand and enhance the call capability of mobile outreach services provided through the Hawaii CARES crisis helpline, expand licensed crisis residential shelter services, and expand bed stabilization services.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Association, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has exacerbated the need for mental health care services, including services addressing mental illnesses, mental health crises, and substance use disorder. The moneys appropriated by this measure will allow the Department of Health's behavioral health divisions to meet these needs by expanding the divisions' existing crisis care services.

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. 2529, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair