Hawaii-2023-SCR133-Introduced

WHEREAS, there is heightened awareness of the detrimental effects of untreated and maltreated mental health in the State's population; and

WHEREAS, with a shortage of mental health professionals and appropriate mental health care, the State must actively consider innovative and effective treatment options to address this pressing need; and

WHEREAS, psilocybin has been found to be very effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including but not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and end-of-life psychological distress; and

WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration has designated treatment that uses psilocybin in a therapeutic manner for treatment-resistant depression as a "breakthrough therapy"; and

WHEREAS, at least two states, Colorado and Oregon, have found that legalizing medicinal psilocybin is a valuable tool in dealing with various mental health conditions; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has a shortage of mental health professionals and should actively consider novel, innovative, and safe treatment options to address the pressing need for appropriate mental health care; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to establish a Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to examine:

(1) Federal, state, and county laws, regulations, administrative rules, and procedures regarding the therapeutic use of psilocybin;

(2) Medical, psychological, and scientific studies, research, and other information relating to the efficacy and safety of psilocybin or psilocybin-based products in treating mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and end-of-life psychological distress; and

(3) Existing laws, requirements, and guidelines in jurisdictions in which psilocybin or psilocybin-based products are legally used to treat mental health conditions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to determine and develop a long-term strategic plan to ensure the safe availability and accessibility of affordable, therapeutic psilocybin or psilocybin-based products for adults twenty-one years of age or older; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals, or their respective designees, are requested to serve as members of the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group:

(1) The Director of Health, who shall serve as chairperson of the Working Group;

(2) The Attorney General;

(3) The Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa;

(4) The chairperson of the Senate standing committees with primary jurisdiction over health and Judiciary subject matters;

(5) The chairperson of the House of Representatives standing committees with primary jurisdiction over health and Judiciary subject matters;

(6) The Chairperson of the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health;

(7) A physician duly licensed pursuant to chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or an advanced practice registered nurse who is authorized to prescribe psychotrophic medication and is duly licensed pursuant to chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as invited by the chairperson of the Working Group; and

(8) A psychiatrist duly licensed pursuant to chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as invited by the chairperson of the Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson of the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group may invite other interested parties with relevant experience and expertise to join the Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including the long-term strategic plan and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group be dissolved on June 30, 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Attorney General, Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Chairperson of the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Health; Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group; Report

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	133
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII