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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1941 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Making an emergency appropriation to the Department of health to implement quality improvement recommendations for the Hawaii State Hospital.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. The legislature finds that the Hawaii state hospital is the only publicly funded state psychiatric hospital in the state. The hospital is organized within the department of health adult mental health division, and provides adult inpatient psychiatric services. It is accredited by The Joint Commission, most recently in December 2021 for thirty-six months, and is licensed as a health care facility by the department of health's office of health care assurance.
The department contracted with a consultant in 2023 to evaluate hospital operations in response to increasing demand for secure psychiatric services. The consultant's report was accepted in early 2024 and makes recommendations for effectively accommodating the rising influx of patients while ensuring the delivery of quality care, establishing a safer environment, and supporting fiscal responsibility. In addition to the reorganization and addition of staff, the Hawaii state hospital requires both building and equipment upgrades as part of its quality improvement plan as follows:
(1) 4.0 full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions for an associate administrator unit;
(2) 4.0 full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions for a dedicated facilities unit;
(3) 27.0 full-time equivalent (27.0 FTE) positions for an operations unit;
(4) 8.0 full-time equivalent (8.0 FTE) positions for clinical programs units;
(5) $4,500,000 for salary for newly created full-time equivalent positions;
(6) $325,000 for equipment for dietary services and plant operations;
(7) $650,000 for telecommunications and networking upgrades; and
(8) $500,000 for miscellaneous improvements to campus facilities.
The purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to provide funds to the department of health to implement quality improvement recommendations for the Hawaii state hospital.
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 appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,975,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the department of health to implement quality improvement recommendations for the Hawaii state hospital.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOH; Hawaii State Hospital; Quality Improvement; Expenditure Ceiling; Emergency Appropriation
Description:
Makes an emergency appropriation to provide funds for the Department of Health to implement quality improvement recommendations at the Hawaii State Hospital. Declares that the general fund expenditure is exceeded.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.