Bill > SB160

This bill requires the Department of Health to construct a specialized mental health facility for inmates and detainees within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The facility is designed to provide treatment for individuals who exhibit signs of mental illness, pose a potential danger to themselves or others, or request treatment meeting specific criteria. The facility will be a secure, minimum- to medium-security community correctional facility focused on medical treatment for mentally ill inmates. The bill allows the Department of Health to enter into public-private partnerships for planning and construction, and mandates a community partnering meeting to gather input on the facility's location, size, and programming. Financially, the bill authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to fund the project, with an appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026. The funding appropriation will not lapse until June 30, 2028, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The primary goal is to provide appropriate mental health treatment for inmates with mental health needs while ensuring community and safety considerations are addressed.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=160&year=2025