STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1148

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1462

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1462, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRISIS SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program by requiring at least two sites on the island of Oahu, including one program in an area with a disproportionate number of individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or homelessness.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Community Alliance on Prisons, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and five individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that unaddressed behavioral health issues is one of the pathways to incarceration for many of the State's residents. Your Committee further finds that, recognizing the need for crisis intervention and diversion of individuals to a program where their needs can be properly addressed, the Legislature enacted Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to establish the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program within the Department of Health to expand existing services and divert those with mental health issues to appropriate health care services. Your Committee additionally finds that homelessness is a significant issue on Oahu with a noticeable presence of unsheltered individuals, some of whom suffer from issues relating to drugs, alcohol, or mental illness and do not have access to the appropriate services for help. This measure addresses a critical gap in the State's crisis response infrastructure by establishing targeted service locations in high-need areas on Oahu.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation amount for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Department of Health for the purposes of the measure;

(2) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1462, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1462, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair