STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3069

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2736

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. 2736, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRISIS OUTREACH PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to support the development of a statewide crisis outreach program.

More specifically, the measure appropriates moneys to develop a crisis outreach program modeled on the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) program created in Eugene, Oregon.

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

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

Your Committee finds that the development of a statewide crisis outreach program will help ensure that persons in need receive appropriate crisis support from workers and medical professionals who are trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention.

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. 2736, 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