STAND. COM. REP. NO. 981

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1351

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1351, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide for the delivery of mental health services to certain children and infants.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes the infant and early childhood mental health program to provide and support mental health services for children from birth to five years of age;

(2) Requires the program to develop and implement strategies for the delivery of mental health services and workforce training and promote a better understanding of the needs of infants and young children, the importance of positive early relationships, and benefits of trauma‑informed care; and

(3) Appropriate moneys to the Department of Health for the establishment and operation of the program and the establishment of one permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Early Learning Board; Executive Office on Early Learning; Office of the Governor; Office of Wellness and Resilience; Commit to Keiki; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Hawaii Association for Infant Mental Health; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Community Foundation; Hawaii Family Support Institute; Parents And Children Together; Rainbow School, Inc.; Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation; and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that supporting the emotional and social development of children in the State will help to increase parenting and child development knowledge and strengthen each affected family's ability to observe and respond to their child's needs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriations of $800,000 and $1,700,000, respectively, to unspecified amounts;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1351, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1351, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair