STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3651

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 129

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 129 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING JUNE 27, 2016, AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS AWARENESS DAY" TO ENCOURAGE ALL PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND MILITARY SERVICE PROVIDERS TO CONTINUE EDUCATING SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, VICTIMS OF ABUSE, CRIMES, AND NATURAL DISASTERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate June 27, 2016, as "Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day" to encourage public, private, and military service providers to continue raising awareness about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for post-traumatic stress injuries.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Office of Veterans' Services, and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that post-traumatic stress affects many people, including combat veterans, victims of violent crimes or events, and survivors of natural and human-caused disasters.  Historically, post-traumatic stress has been viewed as a mental disorder, which has led to misconceptions about the nature of post-traumatic stress and stigmatization of those experiencing it.  Your Committee further finds that these misconceptions and stigmatizations discourage those suffering from post-traumatic stress from seeking treatment.  Your Committee additionally finds that educating individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress, as well as the general public, about the nature and causes of post-traumatic stress can reduce the stigma associated with it and encourage those suffering from it to seek timely treatment.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 129, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair