STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3015

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 2169

        H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2169, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health to support youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives in the County of Maui, particularly for persons between the ages of ten and twenty-four.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maui County Commission on Children and Youth, Hawaii Family Forum, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Abilities Unlimited, and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that between 2010 and 2016, there were one hundred fifty suicides among Hawaii residents ages ten to twenty-four, making suicide the leading cause of injury leading to death among this age group.  Testimony received by your Committee indicates that the County of Maui has the highest incidence of youth suicide attempts in the State, highlighting the urgent need for resources for early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives where and for whom they are needed most.

 

     Your Committee notes the concerns of the Department of Health that this measure should be expanded in scope to include the Counties of Hawaii and Kauai, but believes that at this time this measure should focus on where the problem is worst and can be expanded later as needed.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2169, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair