STAND. COM. REP. NO.  703

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1340

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1340 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish the Beneficial Treatments Advisory Council to review, evaluate, and recommend new medicinal treatments for mental health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience of the Office of the Governor, Clarity Project, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, Harvest Garden LLC, Beyond Mental Health, and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that research being conducted on the use of alternative therapies to treat mental health disorders has shown promising outcomes.  This measure establishes the Beneficial Treatments Advisory Council, which ensures a continuing venue is available to discuss new therapies and make data-informed decisions on addressing and devoting resources to complex social issues like mental health.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1340, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1340, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair