HB367 SD1

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that screening individuals for substance abuse, counseling those who show risky behavior, and referring people to substance abuse treatment if needed are remarkably effective techniques to reduce alcohol and drug problems.

The purpose of this part is to ensure that a referral to appropriate alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling is offered to a patient when an examining physician in a primary care or emergency room setting has good reason to suspect substance abuse by the patient.

SECTION 2. Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§453- Alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling in emergency room or routine primary care. A physician licensed under this chapter may offer to refer a patient being examined in a primary care or emergency room setting to alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling when the physician has good reason to suspect alcohol or drug abuse by the patient."

PART II

SECTION 3. Medical personnel, particularly in emergency rooms and trauma centers, regularly encounter patients who have sustained injuries, loss, 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 drug issues. It is at this "teachable moment" that individuals can benefit from assessment, education, counseling, or, if necessary, referral to treatment.

The "screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment" program capitalizes on 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 have shown dramatic reductions in alcohol and other drug use among patients receiving services.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds to establish a screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment pilot program in the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 4. (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 proper 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 2008 and 2009 regular sessions of the legislature.

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 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 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.

PART III

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

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