STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1090-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: S.B. No. 2297

S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2297, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to assure quality of services for mental health consumers by clarifying that mental health counselors are to render professional counseling services based on specialized education, training, and experience. This bill also sets terms and conditions for intern and post-graduate work.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Rehabilitation Counseling Association, Sestak Rehabilitation Services, Alliance for Professional Counselor Licensure, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is currently working on a community mental health services plan to ensure access to quality assistance for those who suffer from a mental disorder. Clarification of the practice of mental health counseling will ensure the public is protected while addressing the community's need for high-quality mental health assistance.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2297, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair