STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3669

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 66

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 66, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PREVENT SUICIDE HAWAII TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REDUCE SUICIDES IN HAWAII BY AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT BY 2025,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force to:

 

     (1)  Examine, evaluate, and determine methods to improve education, awareness, support services, and outreach to prevent suicide in the State;

 

     (2)  Form a temporary subcommittee to assist in the development of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force's recommendations; and

 

     (3)  Recommend a strategic plan to reduce suicides in the State by at least twenty-five percent by 2025, and report its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2018.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Hawaii Chapter; Oahu Prevent Suicide Hawaii Taskforce; Hawaii Catholic Conference; Hawaii Family Forum; and thirteen individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that suicide is a major health concern that claims approximately one million lives worldwide each year.  In Hawaii, suicide was the most common cause of fatal injuries between 2010 and 2014, accounting for one out of every four fatal injuries.

 

     Your Committee further finds that the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force is a partnership of state, public, and private agencies and community groups working in collaboration to provide leadership, develop strategies, coordinate activities, and monitor progress of suicide prevention efforts in the State.  The Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force provides leadership for suicide prevention activities statewide, including National Suicide Prevention Week and suicide prevention conferences.  Because there is concern about the health, safety, and welfare of all the people of Hawaii, including military personnel, veterans, and visitors, it is critical to develop a strategic plan to reduce suicides in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Amending the Governor's appointees to the task force by increasing the number from three to four, specifying that each member be from each county, and requesting that two, rather than one, be survivors of attempted suicide or suicide loss survivors; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 66, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 66, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 


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

 

 

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair