STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2369

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2460

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 S.B. No. 2460 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 appropriate funds to address the mental health and wellness needs of youth in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health Office of the Public Defender, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, YMCA of Honolulu, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi True Cost Coalition, Hawaii Medical Association, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Opportunity Youth Action Hawaiʻi and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that the youth of Hawaii face mental health challenges in more significant numbers than in years past, with depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation being top issues. Your Committee further finds a need to address the wellness and mental health of the youth in the State by funding resources with community-based services to ensure youth can gain the necessary tools to manage emotional, behavioral, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual health to develop into healthy members of their communities. This measure will therefore help provide increased outreach and intervention to give the State's keiki the care they deserve.

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 S.B. No. 2460 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,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair