THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2345

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CRISIS INTERVENTION.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that thousands of people in the State are cited or arrested each year for offenses such as drinking liquor in public; loitering in public parks after hours; and camping on sidewalks, beaches, and other restricted public places.  Some cited individuals suffer from chronic conditions relating to drugs, alcohol, or mental illness.  Many cited individuals do not appear in court, leading courts to issue bench warrants for their arrests.  Extensive time and resources are expended bringing violators to court, creating an endless cycle for the court system, prosecutors, and police.

     In response to an influx of habitual offenders, mental health service providers have been working with appropriate law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system to implement crisis intervention programs.  A critical member of a crisis intervention team is the law enforcement officer.  When law enforcement officers are trained in mental health first aid and crisis intervention, de-escalation and prevention efforts have been successful.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize the department of law enforcement to coordinate crisis intervention training for state and county law enforcement agencies; and

     (2)  Establish positions and appropriate funds related to crisis intervention training.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 353C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§353C-     Crisis intervention training.  (a)  The department may coordinate crisis intervention training for state and county law enforcement agencies.  The department and county law enforcement agencies shall identify one or more nationally recognized crisis intervention organizations able to provide training and certification for crisis intervention officers.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section, "crisis intervention training" means training that emphasizes methods for recognizing and communicating with a person in crisis or suffering from some form of impairment, whether from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or any physical, developmental, cognitive, psychological, or substance disorder influencing their behavior."

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriations made in this Act meet the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of      full-time equivalent (     FTE) crisis intervention coordinator positions, who shall be exempt from chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to administer and coordinate the crisis intervention training program; provided that, upon approval from the director of law enforcement, a crisis intervention coordinator may be removed by the director of law enforcement; provided further that the director of law enforcement shall determine the final salary of crisis intervention coordinators.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to train and certify officers in:

     (1)  Mental health first aid, as managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing; and

     (2)  The crisis intervention team model, as developed by Crisis Intervention Team International.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

 

Report Title:

DLE; Crisis Intervention Training; Positions; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

 

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to coordinate crisis intervention training for state and county law enforcement agencies.  Establishes positions.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

 

 

 

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