Bill > SCR252

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Legislative Reference Bureau, a non-partisan research agency, to study how well the Hawaii CARES Program is working. The Hawaii CARES Program, run by the Department of Health's Behavioral Health Administration Adult Mental Health Division, is a statewide service that helps people experiencing mental health crises, substance use issues, or other behavioral health needs by connecting them to resources like mobile outreach teams and crisis stabilization beds. The study will look at the types of responses and interventions Hawaii CARES has provided over the last five years, specifically on Oahu, including whether any involved armed responses, and will also examine the program's financial reports for the same period. To conduct this study, the Legislative Reference Bureau is asked to consult with several state departments and the Honolulu Police Department. The resolution highlights the need for such a study due to the significant number of homeless individuals on Oahu with mental health and substance use issues, and the potential dangers and costs associated with police responding to behavioral health crises.