STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3068

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2735

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. 2735, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS STABILIZATION BEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address gaps in the State's mental health system.

Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health for behavioral health crisis stabilization beds.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Health, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Partners in Care, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Psychological Association, and two individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that the moneys appropriated by this measure will help to address the gap in the number of behavioral health crisis stabilization beds available to treat individuals having severe behavioral health needs but who do not require emergency room-level crisis care.

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. 2735, 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