RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

HB2372

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2372

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to assisted community treatment
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that subjects of
assisted community treatment orders must be taken to an emergency room or
admitted to a hospital and be attended by a psychiatrist or advanced practice
registered nurse to receive court ordered treatment.
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However, mentally ill individuals who are
subject to these orders and refuse to be moved, and whose actions do not to
rise to the level of necessitating the initiation of emergency transportation
to psychiatric or other designated facility, cannot access the treatment they
desperately need.

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The legislature further finds that
the city and county of Honolulu's community outreach and response engagement
(CORE) program provides ongoing outreach and treatment to the homeless
population in the field using an ambulance equipped with medical supplies.
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Through the CORE program, state licensed
paramedics and registered nurses are able to develop ongoing relationships with
the clients they serve and can carry out assisted community treatment orders by
administering treatment ordered by a qualified psychiatric examiner.

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The legislature therefore finds that
qualified paramedics licensed by the State and other qualified medical staff
should be able to administer court ordered treatment, including the
administration of prescription drugs.
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Allowing
personnel and staff to administer treatment outside of a hospital can
facilitate the administration of life saving treatment for persons subject to
an assisted community treatment order.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to facilitate the administration of assisted community treatment orders by
authorizing registered nurses and licensed paramedics who are operating as part
of a county program to administer prescription medication prescribed as part of
an assisted community treatment order treatment plan in settings other than a
hospital, psychiatric facility, or other designated facility.

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

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"
�334-
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Administration
of assisted community treatment; county programs.
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A registered
nurse licensed under section 457-7 or qualified paramedic licensed under
section 453-34 may administer reasonable and appropriate medication or
medications specifically authorized by a court order to a person subject to an
order in a location other than a hospital, psychiatric facility, or other
facility designated by the director if:

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(1)
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The
administration of the medication or medications is consistent with accepted
medical standards and the court order, including the written treatment plan
submitted pursuant to section 334-126(g);

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(2)
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The registered
nurse or
paramedic knows that the
person is subject to an order;

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(3)
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The registered nurse or paramedic are working
within their scope of practice;

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(4)
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The registered nurse or paramedic is
providing treatment through a county program, including a county community
outreach program; and

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(5)
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The location is equipped with medical
supplies and designed specifically to administer prehospital care to patients.
"

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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Assisted
Community Treatment; Medication; Administration; Registered Nurses; Paramedics

Description:

Authorizes
registered nurses and qualified paramedics licensed by the State to administer
medication as part of an assisted community treatment order's treatment plan to
the subject of the order, under certain circumstances.

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