Bill Text: HI SB1466 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 1466 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mental Health Services; Appropriation; Keiki Caucus

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-28 - (S) Referred to HTH, WAM. [SB1466 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SB1466-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1466
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that budgetary reductions have forced cuts to state mental health services, causing harm to thousands of mentally ill persons by reducing access to needed medication, treatment, and other services. This reduction in mental health services may be contrary to the United States Supreme Court holding in Olmstead v. L. C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999). This holding gave people with disabilities the right to live in the community if they desire rather than being institutionalized, and the failure to provide necessary supports to these persons may constitute a denial of that right.

The department of health adult mental health division changed its eligibility rules in July 2010, to end services it provides to patients other than those with severe and persistent mental illness. This left thousands of people searching for help from private providers who are already in short supply. The adult mental health division also eliminated or reduced support for residential facilities, parent education, support groups, and clubhouses that have been important resources for the mentally ill. Cuts have also been made to area-service administrator positions for the adult mental health division, which has adversely impacted the availability and coordination of mental health resources on the neighbor islands. In the wake of these steep cuts and intense government-wide budget pressures, it is also questionable whether the State is able to provide necessary oversight for the conditional release population of the Hawaii state hospital at Kaneohe. A recently reported incident of homicide and suicide involving a person who was conditionally released from the Hawaii state hospital brought to light serious concerns regarding whether the State has the means to adequately monitor and treat former criminal defendants who are on conditional release.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the restoration of mental health services.

SECTION 2. 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 2011-2012 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for restoration of funding for mental health services for adults, adolescents, and children, that have been eliminated or reduced in the past two years.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Mental Health Services; Appropriation; Keiki Caucus

Description:

Makes an appropriation for mental health services for adults, adolescents, and children, that have been eliminated or reduced in the past two years.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.