Bill Text: HI HB81 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Mental Health.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-25 - Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB81 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HB81-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
81 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to mental health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that children are facing a mental health crisis in Hawaii. According to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, approximately 2,200 more children in Hawaii struggled with anxiety and depression in 2020, a twenty-three per cent increase compared with 2016. According to the state department of health, from 2016 to 2020, suicide was the fourth leading cause of fatal injury for children aged fifteen years old and under.
The legislature additionally finds that rural communities face severe challenges in meeting mental health care needs because of a lack of access to critical mental health facilities. On the southwestern part of Hawaii island, communities like Ocean View, Miloii, Naalehu, and Pahala lack access to basic health care infrastructure. The Ocean View region in particular is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States, with the 2010 United States Census reporting a population of 4,437 persons in the region, more than double the 2,178 population as reported in the 2000 census. Despite the growing community, however, the lack of health care infrastructure has not been addressed, as there are no health care facilities in Ocean View and the nearest hospitals are in Kona and Kau, both a significant distance from Ocean View.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of an outpatient mental health facility for children and adolescents living in the Ocean View region of Hawaii island, including in the communities of Ocean View, Milolii, Naalehu, and Pahala.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of health shall conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of an outpatient mental health facility for children and adolescents in the Ocean View region of Hawaii island.
(b) The study shall examine ways to efficiently address mental health service gaps for children and adolescents living in the Ocean View region of Hawaii island, including in the communities of Ocean View, Milolii, Naalehu, and Pahala.
(c) The department of health shall submit a
report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation,
to the legislature and governor no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session of 2024.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Mental Health Services; Outpatient Services; Children and Adolescents; Department of Health; Study; Ocean View; Hawaii Island
Description:
Requires the department of health to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of an outpatient mental health facility for children and adolescents living in the Ocean View region of Hawaii island, including in the communities of Ocean View, Milolii, Naalehu, and Pahala.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
