Bill Text: HI HB1826 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Education For Mental Health Professionals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB1826 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1826-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1826 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a severe shortage of mental health service providers in the State. This shortage is due to a lack of appropriately educated individuals and high rates of turnover in the field, which is exacerbated by compassion fatigue, burnout, and inadequate preparation for the provision of mental health services. The legislature therefore finds that the mental health provider shortage in the State is a matter of statewide concern.
The
legislature further finds that the university of Hawaii Windward community
college, in collaboration with the Hawaii state hospital, has developed an entry-level mental
health technician certificate of competence program. Furthermore, they have developed
a stackable degree program that builds on this certificate with another seven courses to earn a cetificate of achievement. All these credits can then be applied toward an associate
of arts or a bachelor of arts degree in pathways such as
social work and psychology.
The legislature additionally finds that the coursework for these programs addresses the immediate and critical workforce needs of preparing potential employees and upskilling existing employees for the Hawaii state hospital. The coursework also has the potential to do the same for employees working in entry- level mental health jobs at organizations across the State in collaboration with their local community college.
Furthermore, Windward community college offers a trauma informed care pathway for the Honolulu police department and adult corrections officers. This curriculum is also a stackable degree program with credits that can be applied toward a certificate of achievement or degrees, such as an associate of arts or bachelor of arts.
These programs help to grow the State's overall capacity to address the mental health challenges and needs of Hawaii's residents.
The asynchronous online courses can be offered to professionals working with the mentally ill and students across the State, with Windward community college coordinating with other community colleges in the university of Hawaii system. For these programs to be offered statewide, additional resources are needed to provide for key personnel and establish a scholarship program to increase access for individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, low—wage earners, or otherwise interested in pursuing a career pathway in mental health.
The purpose
of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii Windward community college for the
establishment of positions
to support the statewide expansion of the university of Hawaii Windward
community college's mental health-related programs.
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 2024-2025 to support the statewide expansion
of the university of Hawaii Windward community college's mental health-related
programs, to be expended as follows:
(1) $ for the establishment of one temporary full—time equivalent (1.0 FTE) faculty instructor position to develop and administer curriculum;
(2) $ for the establishment of one temporary full—time equivalent (1.0 FTE) faculty outreach position to onboard new cohorts, grant scholarships, and carry out any other necessary administrative tasks; and
(3) $ for the establishment of a scholarship program, the granting of scholarships, and other necessary administrative costs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
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 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 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Mental Health Professionals; University of Hawaii Windward Community College; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the establishment of temporary positions to support the statewide expansion of the University of Hawaii Windward Community College's mental health-related programs. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
