RELATING TO TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

HB593

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

593

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to treatment for mental illness
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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(a)
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There is established an intensive mobile team
pilot program within the adult mental health division of the department of
health to provide intensive mobile team services to chronically houseless adult
individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including but not limited
to schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

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(b)
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The
pilot program shall establish one intensive mobile team in the community mental
health center system.

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(c)
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The
intensive mobile team established for the purposes of the pilot program shall:

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(1)
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Establish
criteria for pilot program participation, which shall include being houseless
and suffering from a serious brain disorder, prioritizing individuals with
schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder;

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(2)
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Manage
not more than forty participants who shall be vetted and enrolled by the intensive
mobile team;

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(3)
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Offer
after-hours availability for existing participants, including:

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(A)
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Responding
to crises;

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(B)
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Visiting
emergency rooms; and

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(C)
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If
and when participants are arrested, meeting with law enforcement and
participants at the receiving desk or similar place where the participant is
being held in custody to share information of the participant's participation
in the pilot program;

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(4)
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Determine,
in collaboration with area hospitals and the behavioral health crisis center,
appropriate hospitalizations or behavioral health crisis center admissions;

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(5)
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Prioritize
housing placements for participants;

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(6)
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Begin
participant treatment on psychiatric medications when appropriate;

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(7)
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Actively
pursue assisted community treatment orders when appropriate;

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(8)
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Continue
services if a participant is admitted to the Hawaii state hospital;

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(9)
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Engage
social work interns and advanced practice registered nurse students to expand
service capacity for the target population; and

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(10)
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Bill
third-party payors, medicare, or medicaid, as appropriate for services.

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(d)
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The
department of health shall collaborate with law enforcement agencies, courts,
hospitals, providers who serve houseless individuals, mental health providers,
and community stakeholders for the implementation of the pilot program.

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(e)
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The
adult mental health division of the department of health shall submit a report
on the intensive mobile team pilot program to the legislature no later than forty
days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.
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Each report shall include any proposed
legislation and progress updates on the aggregate:

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(1)
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Number
of participant arrests;

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(2)
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Number
of participants requiring an emergency examination and hospitalization;

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(3)
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Number
of participants placed into housing;

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(4)
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Number
of participants started on medications;

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(5)
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Number
of participants hospitalized at the Hawaii state hospital;

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(6)
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Number
of participants reconnected with family; and

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(7)
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Number
of assisted community treatment orders pursued and granted.

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(f)
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The
intensive mobile team pilot program shall be dissolved on June 30, 2028.

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SECTION 2.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $1,300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2026-2027 for
operating costs and equipment for the intensive mobile team
pilot program and the establishment of
eight and one-tenth
full-time equivalent (8.1 FTE) positions, including:

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(1)
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One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) human services professional V who shall serve as
the clinical supervisor;

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(2)
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One-half
full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE) psychiatrist;

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(3)
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Five
full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) human services professionals or social workers;

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(4)
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One-half
full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE) registered nurse;

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(5)
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One-tenth
full-time equivalent (0.1 FTE) epidemiologist, epidemiology specialist, or
research statistician; and

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(6)
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One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist.

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

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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOH; Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a pilot program in the Department of Health to
provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, e.g.,
"
street psychiatry", to chronically houseless adult
individuals suffering from serious brain disorders like schizophrenia and
schizoaffective disorder.
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Requires
reports to the Legislature.
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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.