STAND. COM. REP. NO. 735-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1666

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1666, H.D. 1, 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 a pilot program to expand existing county programs that make licensed mental health counselors available to assist county first responders in responding to mental health crises in areas in the urban core with high rates of homelessness.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of Housing of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Health, Office of the Public Defender, and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

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. 1666, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair