Bill Text: HI HB1929 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Health; Hawaii State Hospital; Forensic Psychiatrist; Forensic Psychologist; Appropriation. ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-10 - The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1929 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1929-Introduced.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1929 |
|
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FORENSIC HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State has a severe shortage of board certified forensic psychiatrists and psychologists. This shortage results in inappropriate and inadequate care for mentally ill patients involved with the criminal justice system, and puts the individual and greater community at risk.
The University of Hawaii once offered a forensic psychiatry fellowship that trained two physicians per year, but this ended due to lack of funds, among other issues. The purpose of this Act is to meet the State's need for forensic health care professionals in a more cost-effective and robust manner by authorizing the director of health to recruit board-certified forensic health care professionals, including those from other states.
SECTION 2. Chapter 323, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§323‑ Hospital personnel recruitment and retention. (a) The director of health shall have the following powers relating to personnel recruitment and retention, for purposes of filling existing forensic psychiatry and psychology vacancies and the retention of such personnel in the department:
(1) To provide monetary incentives, provided that:
(A) The monetary incentive may be paid in monthly
installments over an agreed period of time;
(B) If the employment is terminated prior to an
agreed-upon period, the unpaid balance of the amount in subparagraph (1) shall be forfeited; and
(C) The monetary incentive shall not be used in the
computation of payment for overtime work;
(2) To pay one-way travel and moving expenses to fill shortage categories; and
(3) To provide other financial and other incentives for recruitment including, but not limited to, tuition reimbursement and reciprocity of licensure."
SECTION 3. The director of health shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the purposes of this chapter.
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 2016-2017 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the implementation and administration of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
_____________________________ |
Report Title:
Department of Health; Hawaii State Hospital; Forensic Psychiatrist; Forensic Psychologist; Appropriation.
Description:
Authorizes the director of health to recruit board-certified forensic health care professionals, including those from other states. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
