THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1245

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to behavioral health.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers to provide intervention and stabilization services in each county for persons experiencing mental health or substance use disorder crises.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 334, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§334-     Behavioral health crisis centers.  (a)  Pursuant to the authority and functions established under sections 334‑2.5(a)(3)(B) and 334-3(a)(5), the director shall establish or contract with behavioral crisis centers in each county to provide care, diagnoses, and treatment for persons experiencing mental health or substance use disorder crises.

     (b)  Each behavioral health crisis center established or contracted with pursuant to this section shall:

     (1)  Be equipped to:

          (A)  Address mental health and substance use disorder crises;

          (B)  Screen, assess, admit for stabilization, and redirect a client to ongoing care in the most appropriate and least restrictive community setting available, consistent with the client's needs; and

          (C)  Assess a client's physical health needs and deliver care for most minor physical health challenges;

     (2)  Provide services at all times, day or night;

     (3)  Accept and provide services to all walk-in clients and referral clients regardless of the client's ability to pay, subject to subsection (c);

     (4)  Offer a dedicated drop-off area for use by first responders;

     (5)  Provide assessment and support for a client's mental stability while at the crisis center without requiring medical clearance prior to admission;

     (6)  Assess all clients for their risk of suicide or violence, with more comprehensive risk assessments and planning when clinically indicated; and

     (7)  Be staffed at all times with a multidisciplinary team who are capable of meeting the needs of clients experiencing a range of mental health or substance use disorder crises, including:

          (A)  Psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners;

          (B)  Nurses;

          (C)  Licensed or credentialed clinicians, capable of completing client assessments; and

          (D)  Staff with lived experience similar to the lived experience of some clients.

     (c)  No person shall be denied services or receive delayed care at a behavioral health crisis center operating under this section based on the person's inability to pay; provided that, subject to section 334-6, the crisis center shall make every reasonable effort to collect appropriate reimbursement for the cost of the provided services from any person able to pay, including insurance companies or third-party payers.

     (d)  The director shall adopt rules pursuant to section 334-9 to implement this section, including rules specifying:

     (1)  Eligibility standards for contracted behavioral health crisis centers;

     (2)  Clinical procedures;

     (3)  Staffing requirements; and

     (4)  Operational, administrative, and financial requirements."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the director of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers pursuant to this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

DOH; Behavioral Health Crisis Centers; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers to provide intervention and stabilization services in each county for persons experiencing mental health or substance use disorder crises.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

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