Hawaii-2021-HCR174-Introduced

WHEREAS, mental health conditions are treated in various ways depending on the condition and can include medication, therapy, and psychosocial services; and

WHEREAS, these treatments, while effective for certain conditions and patients, do not treat all mental health conditions; and

WHEREAS, psilocybin is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in certain species of mushrooms; and

WHEREAS, psilocybin can activate serotonin receptors in the brain; and

WHEREAS, studies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions indicate that psilocybin has shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress; and

WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration has determined that preliminary clinical evidence indicates that psilocybin may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies for treatment-resistant depression and has granted a breakthrough therapy designation for a treatment that uses psilocybin as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has a shortage of mental health professionals, and should actively consider novel, innovative, and safe solutions to treat its citizens; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group, to be placed in the Department of Health for administrative purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to examine:

(1) Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative rules, and procedures regarding the therapeutic use of psilocybin;

(2) Available medical, psychological, and scientific studies, research, and other information relating to the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions; and

(3) Requirements, specifications, and guidelines for a medical professional to prescribe and provide psilocybin to patients in jurisdictions where psilocybin is used to treat mental health conditions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to develop a long-term strategic plan to ensure the availability of therapeutic psilocybin or psilocybin-based products that are safe, accessible, and affordable for adults twenty-one years of age or older; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals, or their respective designees, are requested to serve as members of the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group:

(1) The Director of Health, who is requested to serve as chairperson of the working group;

(2) The Attorney General;

(3) The Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa;

(4) The chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees whose subject matter purview is primarily responsible for reviewing legislation relating to health and to the Judiciary;

(5) The chairperson of the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health;

(6) A physician duly licensed under chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or advanced practice registered nurse with the authority to prescribe psychotropic medication and duly licensed under chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group; and

(7) A psychiatrist duly licensed under chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson of the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group may invite other interested parties with relevant experience to join the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group is requested to submit a preliminary report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group be dissolved on July 1, 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Attorney General, and Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Therapeutic Psilocybin Working Group; Department of Health

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	174
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII