STAND. COM. REP. NO. 689-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1541

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1541 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to change the effective date of Act 36, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, which designates September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, from July 1, 2050, to July 1, 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that Act 36, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019 (Act 36), was enacted to designate the month of September as "Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to increase public awareness of suicide prevention education, resources, and support available to individuals, families, and communities in the State. However, Act 36 contained a delayed effective date of July 1, 2050. This measure corrects that oversight and makes Act 36 effective on July 1, 2024.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1541 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair