STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2102

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2005

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2005 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to construct a mental health facility for inmates and detainees in custody of the Department.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; ACLU of Hawaiʻi; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, and four individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

Your Committees find that forty percent of incarcerated people have a history of mental illness and that the Hawaii Corrections System is currently incapable of treating inmates with mental illnesses. Your Committees further note that many individuals are in need of rehabilitative care and treatment including social services, cultural education, mental health, and reintegration assistance. This measure will assist the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in providing mental health treatment for inmates and detainees, reducing recidivism, and promoting public safety.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2005 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair