HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2698 |
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to rehabilitation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers to provide intervention and stabilization services in each county for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder crisis.
SECTION 2. Chapter 334, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§334- Behavioral
health crisis centers. (a)
Pursuant to the authority and functions established under sections 334‑2.5(a)(3)(B)
and 334-3(a)(5), the director shall establish or contract with behavioral
health crisis centers in each county of the State to provide care, diagnosis,
or treatment for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use
disorder crisis.
(b)
Each behavioral health crisis center established or contracted with
pursuant to this section shall:
(1) Be designed to:
(A) Address
mental illness and substance use disorder crisis issues; and
(B) Screen,
assess, admit for stabilization, and redirect a client to ongoing care in the
most appropriate and least restrictive community setting available, consistent
with the client's needs;
(2) Provide
services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;
(3) Accept all
walk-ins and referrals and provide services regardless of the client's ability
to pay, subject to subsection (c);
(4) Offer a
dedicated first responder drop-off area;
(5) Not require
medical clearance before admission of the client but rather provide assessment
and support for the client's medical stability while at the crisis center;
(6) Have the
capacity to assess physical health needs and deliver care for most minor
physical health challenges;
(7) Be staffed at
all times with a multidisciplinary team capable of meeting the needs of clients
experiencing all levels of mental illness or substance use disorder crises,
including:
(A) Psychiatrists
or advanced practice registered nurses with psychiatric specialization;
(B) Nurses;
(C) Licensed
or credentialed clinicians capable of completing assessments of the client; and
(D) Peers
with lived experience similar to the experience of the client; and
(8) Screen clients
for risk of suicide and violence and complete more comprehensive risk
assessments and planning when clinically indicated.
(c) No
person shall be denied services or receive delayed services at a behavioral
health crisis center operating under this section because of inability to pay;
provided that, subject to section 334-6, crisis centers shall make every
reasonable effort to collect appropriate reimbursement for the cost of
providing services to persons able to pay for services, including insurance or
third-party payments.
(d)
The director shall adopt rules pursuant to section 334-9 to implement
this section, including rules specifying standards for behavioral health crisis
center eligibility criteria, clinical procedures, staffing requirements, and
operational, administrative, and financing requirements."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the director of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers pursuant to this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Health; Behavioral Health Crisis Centers; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling
Description:
Requires the Department of Health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers in each county to provide care, diagnosis, or treatment for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder crisis. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.