STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3194

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1941

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1941, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO IMPLEMENT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Special Fund to the Department of Health to implement quality improvement recommendations at the Hawaii State Hospital.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health, State Council on Mental Health, Disability and Communication Access Board, and Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

Your Committee finds that the urgency of this measure's appropriation request stems from the potential risks to safety and security at the Hawaii State Hospital, which could adversely affect both patients and staff if not promptly addressed. Your Committee further finds that the proposed funds would be utilized to secure positions, contact services, repair and purchase safety related equipment, and relocate and repair the guard shack to enhance safety measures and maintain a secure environment on the hospital campus. This measure provides vital funding to ensure the health and safety of the employees, patients, and visitors at the Hawaii State Hospital.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

Your Committee notes that Governor's Message No. 5, which proposes changes to the Executive Supplemental Budget for fiscal year 2024-2025, includes a request for $14,000,000 to implement the quality improvement recommendations at the Hawaii State Hospital set forth in this measure. Accordingly, if the proposed changes to the Executive Supplemental Budget in Governor's Message No. 5 is accepted, the emergency appropriation pursuant to this measure will no longer be necessary.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1941, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1941, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair