Bill Text: HI HB933 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Crisis Intervention.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-01 - The committee(s) on HLT/HSH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB933 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB933-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
933 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to crisis intervention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that each year thousands of people in Hawaii are cited or arrested for offenses such as drinking liquor in public, being in public parks after the hours of closure, and camping on sidewalks, beaches, and other restricted public places. Most of these people suffer from issued related to drugs, alcohol, or mental illness. Many of those cited do not appear in court, which leads to the issuance of bench warrants for their arrest. Time and resources are being used to bring these people to court. The court system, prosecutors, and the police are caught up in a never-ending revolving door situation.
Mental health service providers have been working with the appropriate law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system in order to implement a crisis intervention program on Oahu.
The purpose of this Act is to provide those in need with appropriate care by requiring the department of health to create a crisis intervention and diversion program to divert people in crisis from the criminal justice system to the health care system.
SECTION 2. Chapter 334, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§334- Crisis intervention and diversion program. (a)
There is established within the department of health, a crisis
intervention and diversion program that redirects those with mental health
issues toward the appropriate health care system and services and away from the
criminal justice system. The program shall
collaborate with law enforcement, courts, mental health providers, and the
community.
(b) The department may lease or acquire a crisis
center to treat and refer patients to appropriate services and providers rather
than the criminal justice system."
SECTION 3. Section 334-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
""Crisis
center" means a clinic or psychiatric urgent care center which offers
immediate attention for people who are suffering from a mental health crisis
and evaluates patients for placement in a mental health program within the
department.
"Crisis intervention
officer" means an officer who has been trained to recognize and
communicate with a person suffering from a mental health crisis. These officers are certified by
as specialized first
responders for calls involving people in crisis."
SECTION 4. Section 334-59, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsection (a) to read as follows:
"§334-59
Emergency examination and hospitalization[.] or placement in
a designated mental health program.
(a) Initiation of
proceedings. An emergency admission may
be initiated as follows:
(1) If a law
enforcement officer has reason to believe that a person is imminently dangerous
to self or others, the officer shall call for assistance from the mental health
emergency workers designated by the director[.] or a crisis
intervention officer. Upon
determination by the mental health emergency workers or crisis intervention
officer that the person is imminently dangerous to self or others, the
person shall be transported by ambulance or other suitable means, to a licensed
psychiatric facility or a designated crisis center for further
evaluation and possible emergency hospitalization. A law enforcement officer may also take into
custody and transport to any facility designated by the director any person
threatening or attempting suicide. The officer shall make application for the
examination, observation, and diagnosis of the person in custody. The application shall state or shall be
accompanied by a statement of the circumstances under which the person was
taken into custody and the reasons therefor which shall be transmitted with the
person to a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or psychologist at
the facility.
(2) Upon written or oral application of any licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, psychologist, attorney, member of the clergy, health or social service professional, or any state or county employee in the course of employment, a judge may issue an ex parte order orally, but shall reduce the order to writing by the close of the next court day following the application, stating that there is probable cause to believe the person is mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse, is imminently dangerous to self or others and in need of care or treatment, or both, giving the findings upon which the conclusion is based. The order shall direct that a law enforcement officer or other suitable individual take the person into custody and deliver the person to a designated mental health program, if subject to an assisted community treatment order issued pursuant to part VIII of this chapter, or to the nearest facility designated by the director for emergency examination and treatment, or both. The ex parte order shall be made a part of the patient's clinical record. If the application is oral, the person making the application shall reduce the application to writing and shall submit the same by noon of the next court day to the judge who issued the oral ex parte order. The written application shall be executed subject to the penalties of perjury but need not be sworn to before a notary public.
(3) Any licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or psychologist who has examined a person and has reason to believe the person is:
(A) Mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse;
(B) Imminently dangerous to self or others; and
(C) In need of care or treatment;
may direct transportation, by ambulance or other suitable means, to a licensed psychiatric facility for further evaluation and possible emergency hospitalization. A licensed physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant may administer treatment as is medically necessary, for the person's safe transportation. A licensed psychologist may administer treatment as is psychologically necessary."
SECTION 5. 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 crisis intervention team program; provided that no funds shall be released unless matched dollar-for-dollar by the private sector.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Health; Crisis Intervention
Description:
Creates a crisis intervention and diversion program in the department of health to divert those in need to appropriate health care and away from the criminal justice system.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
