STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3281

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2042

H.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. 2042, H.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 provide funding to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to contract for the provision of youth mental health and wellness services to address the mental health and wellness needs of youth in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Youth Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, YMCA of Honolulu, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Opportunity Youth Action Hawaiʻi, and six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the August 2023 Maui wildfires, the State's youth face mental health challenges in more significant numbers than in years past, with depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation being top issues. Your Committee additionally finds that providing community-based and culturally relevant programs that address the wellness and mental health for the State's youth, especially for ones who are high-risk, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, LGBTQ+, and those who are houseless, can promote resilience to better withstand stresses later in life. This measure will ensure that the State's youth are provided with the necessary tools to take care of their mental health and well-being in the face of adversity and develop into healthy members of their communities.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised in the testimony of the Department of Health that the contracts for services pursuant to this measure should be awarded through a competitive process, as required by the State's procurement laws. Your Committee finds that this issue raises concerns that merit further consideration, and therefore, should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, respectfully requests further examination on this matter.

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. 2042, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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