STAND. COM. REP. NO. 831-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2707

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2707, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Behavioral Health Social Worker Scholarship Program (Program) at the University of Hawaii, which requires recipients of a scholarship from the Program to commit to five years of service with the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Judiciary, or contracted service providers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Institute for Human Services, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary, University of Hawaii System, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, and Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2707, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair