Bill > HB1197

This bill addresses the mental health care challenges in Hawaii's correctional facilities by authorizing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop student education partnerships to increase mental health care providers. The legislation stems from a 2019 ACLU report highlighting severe overcrowding in Hawaii's prisons, with 5,100 inmates in facilities designed for only 3,500 people, and recognizing that many inmates require specialized mental health care. The bill specifically enables partnerships with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and the Queen's Health Systems (QHS) to provide clinical rotations for medical residents in psychiatry at correctional centers, with a focus on expanding clinical psychology training programs. By amending existing law, the bill requires the department to utilize student education partnerships to expand clinical psychologists and mental health care providers across correctional facilities statewide. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support these training programs, with the ultimate goal of improving mental health services and addressing the systemic challenges within Hawaii's prison system.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1197&year=2025