STAND. COM. REP. NO. 975

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1531

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. 1531, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate consideration of new treatments for certain mental health conditions.

Specifically, the measure establishes within the Department of Health, for administrative purposes only, the Beneficial Treatments Advisory Council, which shall:

(1) Examine laws and information relating to mental health conditions and treatment;

(2) Develop a strategic plan to ensure the availability of certain medications; and

(3) Advise the Department on new and revised mental health treatment options.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Clarity Project, Aloha Integrative Mental Health, Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Psychological Association, Malama Mushrooms, Beyond Mental Health, Honolulu Psychotherapy, and thirty individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health and one individual.

Your Committee recognizes that recent research on the use of alternative therapies to treat mental health disorders has shown

promising outcomes. Your Committee finds that establishment of the Beneficial Treatments Advisory Council, as proposed by this measure, can provide an ongoing venue for a continuous review of current and future therapies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Health has requested further amendments to this measure, to authorize the Department to convene a temporary working group whenever the United States Food and Drug Administration makes a breakthrough therapy designation for any treatment intended for mental health and substance abuse.

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. 1531, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1531, 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