Relating To Excited Delirium.
If enacted, SB2033 would amend various sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish that excited delirium cannot be cited as a cause of death, thus aiming to limit its use in both medical diagnoses and legal terminology. This move is expected to have significant implications for both public health policy and law enforcement reporting standards. By restricting how excited delirium is documented, the bill aims to eliminate this controversial term from discussions regarding aggressive behavior often associated with substance use and police encounters, which has been the subject of considerable debate and scrutiny.
SB2033 is a legislative bill introduced in Hawaii that addresses the recognition of 'excited delirium' as a medical diagnosis and its implications within legal and health contexts. The bill specifically prohibits the acknowledgment of excited delirium in official medical and legal documents, including death certificates and law enforcement reports. According to the bill, excited delirium is characterized by a range of symptoms such as agitation, paranoia, and extreme aggression, but it is underscored by the assertion that it does not meet the criteria set forth in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
The introduction of SB2033 has sparked debate among healthcare professionals, legal experts, and advocacy groups. Proponents argue that eliminating the recognition of excited delirium could lead to more precise medical practices devoid of a term often criticized for lack of scientific grounding. However, opponents contend that this could undermine proper medical evaluations and limit law enforcement's ability to communicate specific behavioral states that relate to incidents of concern, thus complicating the interactions between health services and law enforcement. The bill raises questions regarding the balance between legislative action and medical autonomy in defining health conditions.