Bill > SB709

This bill aims to improve the state's response to individuals experiencing mental health crises by requiring the Department of Health (DOH) to actively respond to reports of people with severe mental illness needing assistance, assess if they qualify for assisted community treatment (a court-ordered plan of treatment and services), and help coordinate the process for obtaining such an order. Importantly, if a court denies a request for involuntary commitment, this denial will now automatically notify the DOH to evaluate the individual for assisted community treatment. The bill also mandates that the Director of Law Enforcement create rules for training and certifying crisis intervention officers, who are law enforcement officers trained to interact with individuals in crisis. Furthermore, it clarifies the types of treatment that can be included in assisted community treatment orders, expanding it to cover a broader range of services like case management, therapy, and support for daily living, and requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist in legal processes for obtaining court or administrative authorization for treatment when a patient objects.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=709&year=2026