STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1722-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 32

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 32 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor's Senior Advisor on Mental Health and the Justice System to formulate a plan to create places of shelter for persons under civil commitment and for persons who have recently been released from the Hawaii State Hospital and are at risk of recidivism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Senior Advisory for Mental Health and the Justice System in the Office of the Governor and Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that limited interagency coordination has constrained the effectiveness of existing diversion and treatment pathways for mentally ill individuals involved in the criminal justice system, resulting in minimal diversion outcomes. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii State Hospital is operating beyond its intended capacity, with a substantial portion of patients undergoing fitness-to-proceed evaluations or having been found unfit to proceed to trial, which limits availability for other treatment needs. Accordingly, your Committee finds that coordinated, cross‑agency planning led by the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System is necessary to expand appropriate placements, improve continuity of care, and reduce recidivism.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 32 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair