Bill Text: HI HB2698 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 2698

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Rehabilitation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-07 - The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2698 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2698-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2698
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to rehabilitation.

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

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers to provide intervention and stabilization services in each county for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder crisis.

SECTION 2. Chapter 334, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§334- Behavioral health crisis centers. (a) Pursuant to the authority and functions established under sections 334‑2.5(a)(3)(B) and 334-3(a)(5), the director shall establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers in each county of the State to provide care, diagnosis, or treatment for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder crisis.

(b) Each behavioral health crisis center established or contracted with pursuant to this section shall:

(1) Be designed to:

(A) Address mental illness and substance use disorder crisis issues; and

(B) Screen, assess, admit for stabilization, and redirect a client to ongoing care in the most appropriate and least restrictive community setting available, consistent with the client's needs;

(2) Provide services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

(3) Accept all walk-ins and referrals and provide services regardless of the client's ability to pay, subject to subsection (c);

(4) Offer a dedicated first responder drop-off area;

(5) Not require medical clearance before admission of the client but rather provide assessment and support for the client's medical stability while at the crisis center;

(6) Have the capacity to assess physical health needs and deliver care for most minor physical health challenges;

(7) Be staffed at all times with a multidisciplinary team capable of meeting the needs of clients experiencing all levels of mental illness or substance use disorder crises, including:

(A) Psychiatrists or advanced practice registered nurses with psychiatric specialization;

(B) Nurses;

(D) Peers with lived experience similar to the experience of the client; and

(8) Screen clients for risk of suicide and violence and complete more comprehensive risk assessments and planning when clinically indicated.

(c) No person shall be denied services or receive delayed services at a behavioral health crisis center operating under this section because of inability to pay; provided that, subject to section 334-6, crisis centers shall make every reasonable effort to collect appropriate reimbursement for the cost of providing services to persons able to pay for services, including insurance or third-party payments.

(d) The director shall adopt rules pursuant to section 334-9 to implement this section, including rules specifying standards for behavioral health crisis center eligibility criteria, clinical procedures, staffing requirements, and operational, administrative, and financing requirements."

SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the director of health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers pursuant to this Act.

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

SECTION 4. 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 H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. 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 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Health; Behavioral Health Crisis Centers; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to establish or contract with behavioral health crisis centers in each county to provide care, diagnosis, or treatment for persons experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder crisis. 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.