Bill Text: HI HB235 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 235 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Drug Treatment.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [HB235 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HB235-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	235
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO DRUG TREATMENT.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that methamphetamine abuse and addiction rates are increasing in Hawaii. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, methamphetamine plays a role in almost ninety per cent of federally-sentenced drug convictions in the Hawaiian islands, nearly triple the national average.

The legislature also finds that opioid addiction is a growing problem in Hawaii. According to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in Hawaii have increased by eighty-three per cent from 2006 to 2014, a growth rate more than double the national average. A majority of those deaths are a result of prescription opioids and heroin.

Drug treatment has been found to be a cost-effective way to reduce drug abuse. Money spent on drug treatment saves on the cost of law enforcement, incarceration, medical treatment, and homeless and social services. Drug treatment is more cost effective than law enforcement, interdiction, and source control, due to lower costs per offender and lowered recidivism rates.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funding for drug treatment programs.

SECTION 2. The department of health shall pursue all non-state funding sources, including federal or private grants, to fund any drug treatment programs prior to expending any general revenues appropriated pursuant to this Act. The department shall pursue all public and private insurance options for coverage of drug treatment for each individual served by programs or services funded by this Act before expending any funds appropriated by this Act for services provided to any individual. Any funds appropriated by this Act shall be used by the department as the payor of last resort.

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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the department of health to contract pursuant to chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, with outside vendors, contractors, and healthcare providers to provide drug treatment to high-risk communities, including treatment for polydrug abuse, or the abuse of more than one drug.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act, subject to section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Drug Treatment Programs; Appropriation; DOH

Description:

Appropriates funding for drug treatment in Hawaii. Requires the DOH to pursue non-state funding sources for drug treatment programs prior to expending general revenue funds appropriated. Requires DOH to exhaust all public and private insurance options for reimbursement for individual treatment provided before expending appropriated funds. (HB235 HD1)

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