Bill Text: HI HB1858 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Suicide Prevention; Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force; Report

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB1858 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1858-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1858
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to suicide prevention.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is a partnership of state, public, and private agencies and community groups working in collaboration to provide leadership, develop strategies, coordinate activities, and monitor progress of suicide prevention efforts the State.  The task force includes the department of health's injury prevention and control section in planning and implementing these activities.

     Similar island task forces coordinate culturally appropriate activities for west Hawaii island, east Hawaii island, and the counties of Maui and Kauai.  The statewide task force and the island task forces provide leadership for suicide prevention activities statewide, including for National Suicide Prevention Week and for suicide prevention conferences.  Other task force activities include the statewide Prevent Suicide Hawaii Listserv that provides information to two hundred members on a regular basis and the bi-monthly meeting of the task force to address suicide prevention issues statewide.

     The legislature also finds, that from 2010 to 2014, Hawaii county had nine hundred fifty-two nonfatal suicide attempts and one hundred eighty deaths due to suicide.  That means that 96.1 people per 100,000 on the island of Hawaii attempt and die from suicide, well above the next highest rate in the State of 76.6 people per 100,000 on Kauai.  Maui's rate was 76, and Honolulu's was 53.1.  The state average is 62.6 suicide deaths per 100,000 people.

     The causes of the disparity between Hawaii island and the rest of the state are difficult to determine.  But, as is the case with many other health-related issues, socioeconomic factors, the shortage of mental health-care providers on the island, and the large geographic distances clients must travel to seek care all play a role.

     But recent efforts to train members of the community have provided another avenue for people in crisis to find help, and members of the East Hawaii Suicide Prevention Task Force have partnered with other agencies to provide a number of different training programs aimed at youth, adults, and emergency responders.  Those training sessions have prepared approximately eight hundred Hawaii island residents to reach out to people who are considering suicide and get them the help they need.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health, on behalf of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force, to provide to the legislature information related to the task force's expenses and communications and to evaluate and recommend potential legislative action to improve and expand suicide prevention training for professionals.

     SECTION 2.  The department of health shall evaluate the following issues and provide a report to the legislature no later than December 1, 2017:

     (1)  The total costs associated with planning and implementing the duties and activities of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force for fiscal year 2014-2015 and for the months of July, August, and September of 2015;

     (2)  Information developed and distributed on the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Listserv, including the groups targeted and the costs to manage and update the listserv; and

     (3)  The effectiveness of the statewide suicide crisis hotline and the potential alternative of establishing individual county hotlines.

     SECTION 3.  The department of health shall evaluate potential action to improve and expand training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management for professionals, including a process to approve empirically supported training, shall prepare cost and revenue estimates for providing a training program that includes online training, and shall submit a report to the legislature, including any proposed legislation, no later than November 1, 2016.

     The report shall identify potential federal and state funding amounts and sources, and elements and costs that could be funded through existing funded programs and new resources.

     In preparing the report, the department may consult with:

     (1)  A chemical dependency professional certified pursuant to section 321-193(10), Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  A marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to section 451J-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  A mental health counselor licensed pursuant to section 453D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (4)  An occupational therapy counselor licensed pursuant to section 457G-1.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (5)  A psychologist licensed pursuant to section 465-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (6)  A social worker or clinical social worker licensed pursuant to section 467E-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (7)  A registered social worker associate--advanced or social worker associate--independent clinical;

     (8)  A chiropractor licensed pursuant to section 442-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (9)  A naturopath licensed pursuant to section 455-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

    (10)  A practical nurse, registered nurse, or advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

    (11)  An osteopathic physician and surgeon licensed pursuant to section 453-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

    (12)  An osteopathic physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 453-5.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

    (13)  A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to section 461J-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

    (14)  A physician licensed pursuant to section 461J-7.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

    (15)  A physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 453-5.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The department shall also consult with public and private institutions and professional associations that are considered experts in suicide assessment, including screening and referral, suicide treatment, and suicide management.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Suicide Prevention; Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force; Report

 

Description:

Requires DOH to examine activities of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force and evaluate the potential to establish a training program for professionals.  Requires reports to the Legislature.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.