STAND. COM. REP. NO. 361-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1826

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1826 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for temporary positions to support the statewide expansion of the University of Hawaii Windward Community College's mental health-related programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Department of Health; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to increase the State's overall capacity to address the mental health challenges and needs of Hawaii's residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding an appropriation in an unspecified amount for the establishment of a scholarship program, the granting of scholarships, and other necessary administrative costs;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it choose to deliberate on this measure, to consider appropriating $211,350 for the following:

(1) $75,000 each for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) personnel;

(2) $60,150 for scholarships to allow fifty students to take nine credits each and pay student fees for the academic year; and

(3) $1,200 for inter-island travel to support the growth of the program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1826, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1826, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair