HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	778
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. (a) There is established within the behavioral health services administration of the department of health a task force to study issues relating to the accessibility and utilization of essential services by developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals in the State. The members of this task force shall include:

(1) Two members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided that the speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one member to serve as co-chairperson of the task force;

(2) Two members to be appointed by the president of the senate; provided that the president of the senate shall designate one member to serve as co-chairperson of the task force;

(3) A representative of the department of health's behavioral health services administration;

(4) A representative of the department of health's state council on developmental disabilities;

(5) A representative of the department of human services' MedQuest division;

(6) Two members of a developmental or intellectual disability advocacy group, who shall be invited to serve; provided that one member each shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate;

(7) Two parent-advocates to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives and invited to serve; and

(8) Two parent-advocates to be selected by the president of the senate and invited to serve.

(b) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including reasonable travel expenses, necessary for service on the task force. No member of the task force shall be made subject to section 84-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation on the task force.

(c) The task force shall convene no later than thirty days after the effective date of this Act; provided that all task force members have been appointed.

(d) The task force shall study issues relating to access to essential services for the State's developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals, including:

(1) Gaps in service;

(2) Accessibility issues, including systemic barriers to access;

(3) Identification of needed universal screenings;

(4) Identification of underserved populations; and

(5) Proposals to improve existing services, close service gaps, and decrease barriers to essential services.

(e) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024, the task force shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, including legislation to improve existing services, close service gaps, and decrease barriers to essential services.

(f) The task force shall dissolve after it has completed its duties pursuant to this Act or twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOH; Developmentally and Intellectually Disabled Persons; Task Force

Description:

Establishes a task force within the Department of Health to study issues relating to the accessibility and utilization of essential services by developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals in the State.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.