Bill Text: HI SB1175 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 1175 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Hawaii State Hospital; Department of Health

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [SB1175 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB1175-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1175
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the senate special investigative committee on the Hawaii state hospital (special investigative committee) was established pursuant to S.R. No. 3 (Regular Session of 2014). The purpose of the special investigative committee was to investigate the workplace safety of all Hawaii state hospital psychiatric workers and alleged improprieties concerning administrative and employment matters at the Hawaii state hospital, and submit its written findings and recommendations to the legislature.

As a result of its investigation, the special investigative committee found that the Hawaii state hospital faces three main interrelated challenges:

(1) Maintaining a safe work environment for Hawaii state hospital staff;

(2) Meeting the current needs of Hawaii state hospital patients and staff due to inefficient use of facilities and patient and staff safety practices; and

(3) Providing efficient and effective human resources practices.

The special investigative committee submitted a written report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature on October 23, 2014.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of health and Hawaii state hospital to consider certain recommendations made by the special investigative committee; and

(2) Require the department of health and Hawaii state hospital to report in writing to the legislature of its status of implementing certain recommendations.

SECTION 2. (a) Pursuant to the final report of the senate special investigative committee on the Hawaii state hospital, the department of health and Hawaii state hospital shall consider the following recommendations:

(1) With regard to maintaining a safe work environment:

(A) Develop standardized recording procedures to accurately report assaults occurring at the Hawaii state hospital;

(B) Educate and train all employees on workplace violence; and

(C) Develop and implement a pervasive and appropriate training program for employees to handle forensic mental health patients;

(2) With regard to using facilities and exercising work place safety practices efficiently:

(A) Develop and implement a patient classification system that is based on patient need and violence potential;

(B) Consider options in designating Unit H of the Hawaii state hospital solely for the purpose of admitting patients;

(D) Facilitate the transfer of high risk patients to out-of-state mental health facilities contracted with the State by selecting patients that may qualify and benefit from being transferred pursuant to the Hawaii state hospital's adopted policies and procedures and determine whether such patients should be transferred;

(E) Explore and develop short-term strategies for the physical improvement and renovation of the existing Hawaii state hospital facility;

(F) Explore and develop long-term strategies for the design and construction of a new facility for the Hawaii state hospital;

(G) Construct a fence around the perimeter of the Hawaii state hospital campus to ensure safety for the surrounding community and assist in preventing patient elopements; and

(H) Develop procedures to alert the community when a patient elopement occurs; and

(3) With regard to providing efficient and effective human resources practices:

(A) Collaborate with the department of health to streamline internal recruitment and hiring processes to expedite the filling of position vacancies at the Hawaii state hospital;

(B) Develop policies and procedures regarding the recruitment of temporary agency workers;

(D) Control the opportunities for Hawaii state hospital employees to abuse sick leave and overtime benefits; and

(E) Strengthen and implement policies and procedures regarding Hawaii state hospital complaints and disciplinary actions.

(b) The department of health and Hawaii state hospital shall submit a written status report, including any recommendations and proposed legislation, to the legislature regarding its efforts in implementing the recommendations under subsection (a) no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016. The department of health and Hawaii state hospital shall submit a written final report, including any recommendations and proposed legislation, to the legislature regarding its efforts in, completion of, and impediments to implementing the recommendations under subsection (a), no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

Report Title:

Hawaii State Hospital; Department of Health

Description:

Requires the department of health and Hawaii state hospital to consider certain recommendations made by the senate special investigative committee on the Hawaii state hospital and submit a written report to the legislature of its status of implementing certain recommendations prior to the regular sessions of 2016 and 2017. (SD2)

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