HI SB2579

Directs the Department of Health to establish a task force including representatives from health, judiciary, attorney general, public safety, procurement, and accounting departments to study needs of forensic psychiatric populations and develop an interagency action plan.

Requires the Department of Health to submit the interagency action plan and facility construction plans to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2015 regular session convening.

Mandates the Department of Health to begin construction of a secure inpatient psychiatric facility by January 1, 2016, to serve mentally ill individuals requiring stricter security and inmates/detainees needing higher-level mental health care.

Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds for fiscal year 2014-2015 for planning, design, and construction of the secure inpatient psychiatric facility, with appropriated funds not lapsing until June 30, 2016.

Addresses Hawaii State Hospital's 50 percent increase in admissions over two years and growing strain on staff and infrastructure serving an increasingly forensic population.