STAND. COM. REP. NO.  825

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 696

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 696 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to increase public awareness of suicide prevention education, resources, and support services available in Hawaii to individuals, families, and communities.

The United States Army Suicide Prevention Program, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Hawaii Family Forum, Oahu Prevent Suicide Hawaii Taskforce, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 696 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair