Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR135

Introduced
3/8/24  
Refer
3/14/24  
Introduced
3/8/24  
Report Pass
4/3/24  
Refer
3/14/24  
Engrossed
4/4/24  
Report Pass
4/3/24  
Refer
4/5/24  
Engrossed
4/4/24  

Caption

Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.

Impact

If implemented, SCR135 could enhance oversight and accountability regarding mental health initiatives linked to the justice system in Hawaii. The resolution calls for the Senior Advisor to gather pertinent data on community programs and to make recommendations based on an analysis of existing services and their effectiveness. This could potentially lead to improvements in how mental health issues intersect with criminal justice processes, thus influencing future policy decisions and budgetary allocations within state mental health services.

Summary

SCR135 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii that urges the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to define their role and to provide an annual report on the progress made toward jail diversion programs. The resolution underscores the need for clear leadership in mental health and justice initiatives, particularly as the current position lacks a defined scope of responsibilities. Furthermore, it highlights significant gaps in the state’s jail diversion efforts, illustrated by the low acceptance rates of diversion referrals within a one-year span.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR135 appears to be one of cautious optimism among proponents, who recognize the necessity of structured oversight in mental health and justice initiatives. However, the data presented, particularly regarding low rates of jail diversion referrals, indicates underlying systemic issues that need attention. Critics may argue that without a clear framework, the resolution may not result in substantial change, yet its intention to elevate mental health within the context of justice is widely viewed as a positive step.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SCR135 relate to the adequacy of current resources and the challenges in effectively implementing jail diversion strategies. The resolution points to a need for detailed reports on program capacities and unmet needs within the service framework, which indicates concerns over accountability and the efficacy of existing mental health services. The ongoing dialogue about how best to address mental health in the justice system remains critical, and the resolution aims to shed light on essential areas needing reform and investment.

Companion Bills

HI SR122

Same As Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.

Previously Filed As

HI SR122

Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.

HI SCR53

Requesting That The Department Of Agriculture Convene An Advisory Commission To Address Certain Issues To Guide Action And Progress In The Agriculture, Aquaculture, And Food Systems Industries Of The State.

HI SCR128

Urging The Department Of Health To Support Developing Additional Mental Wellness Facilities For Children, Adolescents, And Young Adults, In Addition To Improving The Overall Continuum Of Their Mental Health Care, As Identified In The Recent United States Surgeon General's Advisory.

HI SCR124

Urging The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services To Work With Community Partners, Including The Ymca Of Honolulu, To Support The Mental Wellness Of The State's Youth.

HI SCR89

Requesting The Department Of Health And Department Of Public Safety To Work In Collaboration To Preserve The Health And Safety Of Special Needs Inmates And Others In The State's Jails And Prisons.

HI HCR174

Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Office Of Youth Services And Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council To Continue The Use Of Aina-based Learning Programs Offered To Youth In The Juvenile Legal System.

HI SCR81

Urging The Governor To Ensure That Relevant State Agencies, Including The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services, Collaborate To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

HI SCR92

Requests that the Department of Health study, plan, and report on establishing a nursing facility diversion program for senior and other citizens.

HI SCR166

Urging Pertinent State Agencies To Commit To Providing Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, And Programs For Native Hawaiian Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And Their Families And Care Providers.

HI SCR42

Urging The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation To Expand The Kau Rural Health Clinic To Improve Access To Urgent Care And Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.

Similar Bills

HI SR122

Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.

LA HCR129

Requests that certain enumerated state agencies implement recommendations related to the Informal Families in Need of Services process

MS SR21

Recognize Dr. Ann Fisher-Wirth as the recipient of the 2023 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Literature & Poetry.

NJ A3460

Requires federal funding to be made available to Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to support Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if needed to offset unanticipated decrease in dedicated revenues.

NJ S2831

Requires governing boards of public institutions of higher education to adopt tuition and fee schedules for ensuing academic year during Spring semester after issuance of Governor's recommended budget.

TX HB4093

Relating to the appointment of the director of the governor's office of homeland security.

LA SB170

Provides relative to the creation of the office of human trafficking prevention. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

LA HR314

Urges and requests the Department of Public Safety, office of state police, to study methods of enhancing security measures at the Governor's Mansion