Bill > HR129

This Resolution requests the Department of Health (DOH) to create guidelines for hospitals in Hawaii to better care for patients who are thinking about suicide or have attempted suicide. These guidelines are intended to address the rising suicide rates and the fact that many individuals who die by suicide have had recent contact with healthcare professionals, even without a diagnosed mental health condition. The DOH is specifically asked to ensure these hospital protocols include providing one-on-one suicide counseling, making trained counselors available 24/7, offering counseling in emergency rooms for those contemplating or attempting suicide, prohibiting discharge for homeless patients contemplating or who have attempted suicide, preventing discharge to correctional facilities if the patient is not a threat to others, and generally ensuring all such patients are treated with respect and dignity. The DOH must then report these recommended protocols, along with any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by a specific date before the 2023 legislative session.