STAND. COM. REP. NO. 847

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 905

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 905 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE COUNCIL ON MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the State Council on Mental Health to include an unspecified number of members with demonstrated knowledge of or work experience involving native Hawaiian health practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawai‘i Psychology Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that native Hawaiians experience mental health disparities that require culturally responsive solutions. Native Hawaiian keiki are over-represented as victims of abuse and neglect, and native Hawaiian youth experience higher rates of depression and drug use. Native Hawaiians are also less likely than other populations to seek help from the State's mental health services. Culturally sensitive treatment programs that are grounded in native Hawaiian healing and health practices have proven to be more successful when congruent with the client's values and beliefs. Requiring the State Council on Mental Health to include members having educational, professional, or practical backgrounds in native Hawaiian and indigenous health, transgenerational trauma, and traditional healing practices will help the State advance and develop culturally responsive policies and programs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of May 6, 2137, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 905, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 905, S.D. 1.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair