STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3766

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2042

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 Ways and Means, 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 appropriate moneys to address the mental health and wellness needs of youth in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Governor's Office of Wellness and Resilience, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Disability and Communication Access Board, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Healani Land Company, Mental Health America of Hawaii, YMCA of Honolulu, and five individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that the funding appropriated by this measure will support and address the growing mental health challenges faced by youth in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2042, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2042, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair