Bill > SB160

This bill requires the Department of Health to construct a new mental health facility specifically designed for inmates and detainees with mental health needs who are in the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The facility will provide treatment to individuals who exhibit signs of mental illness, pose a danger to themselves or others, or request treatment and meet established admittance criteria. The facility will be a secure, minimum- to medium-security community correctional facility focused on medical treatment. The Department of Health may enter into a public-private partnership for planning, design, and construction, and is required to host a community meeting to gather input on the facility's location, size, and programming. The bill authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to fund the project, with appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026. The funds will not lapse until June 30, 2028, and the bill will take effect on July 1, 2025. The primary goal is to provide appropriate mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals who need specialized care, while also ensuring community involvement in the facility's development.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=160&year=2026