HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1148
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to mental health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a severe shortage of mental health providers in the State. This shortage is due to a lack of appropriately educated individuals and high rates of turnover in the field, which is exacerbated by compassion fatigue, burnout, and inadequate preparation for mental health serving positions.

The legislature further finds that Windward community college, in collaboration with the Hawaii state hospital, has developed a mental health technician certificate of competence program. The coursework for the certificate program addresses the immediate and critical workforce needs of preparing potential employees and upskilling existing employees. These certificates are also a foundation to increasingly higher qualifications, as the initial certificate of competence opens a pathway to further training and development. A one-year certificate program currently under development will build on the skills developed by the existing mental health technician certificate program by adding clinical skills and knowledge necessary to perform higher job requirements in more advanced clinical settings. The coursework can also be applied toward baccalaureate degrees. These programs help to grow the State's overall capacity to address the mental health challenges and needs of Hawaii's residents.

The mental health technician certificate of competence program consists of three approved courses, which provide a basic foundation in mental health knowledge in a short term, focused program of study available in person and online. The asynchronous online courses can be offered to mental health workers and students across the State, with Windward community college coordinating with other community colleges in the University of Hawaii system. However, in order for the program to be offered statewide, additional resources are needed to provide for key personnel and to establish a scholarship program to increase access to the mental health technician certificate of competence program for unemployed, underemployed, low-wage earners, and others interested in pursuing a career pathway in mental health.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to expand and support the mental health technician certificate of competence program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $137,250 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 to support and expand the mental health technician certificate of competence program through the hiring of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) mental health technician certificate program coordinator, establishment of a scholarship program and granting of scholarships, and any other necessary administrative costs.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Mental Health Technician Certificate Program; University of Hawaii; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to support and expand the mental health technician certificate of competence program through the hiring of a mental health technician certificate program coordinator, establishment of a scholarship program, and any other necessary administrative costs.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.