HB367 CD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	367
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 3
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Medical personnel, particularly in emergency rooms and trauma centers, regularly encounter patients who have sustained injuries or trauma resulting from the use of alcohol or other drugs. This initial point of contact in a medical setting is a recognized window of opportunity where patients are most vulnerable and open to intervention and dialogue that address their underlying alcohol or illegal drug issues. It is at this "teachable moment" that individuals can benefit from an assessment, education, counseling, or if necessary, referral to treatment.

The medical personnel working in the "screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment" program may seize this "teachable moment" in medical settings by offering screening, brief intervention, education, and if necessary, referrals to appropriate care or treatment for individuals at risk for, or diagnosed with, alcohol and other substance use disorders.

This evidence-based, cost-effective program is recognized as a best practice model by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Successful screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment programs have been implemented and are ongoing in other states, including California, Alaska, Illinois, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Evidence from existing screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment programs conducted in medical settings has shown dramatic reductions in alcohol and other drug use among patients receiving services.

The purpose of this Act is to establish and fund a pilot program for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment in the State.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a two-year pilot program for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment, which shall be sited at the emergency department of a major urban medical facility in Honolulu or any other facility deemed appropriate by the administering agency.

(b) The University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine shall establish and administer the pilot program.

(c) The University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine shall submit a report to the legislature concerning the status of the pilot program and make findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation and whether to continue the program, not later than twenty days before the convening of the regular sessions of 2008 and 2009.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $84,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to implement a pilot program in the emergency department of a major medical facility in Honolulu or other appropriate facility for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii, through its John A. Burns school of medicine, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.