H.C.R. 167 Summary

• Requests the Office of the Auditor to conduct a comprehensive mental health workforce assessment in Hawaii to identify shortages of mental health professionals and facilities.

• Assessment must include estimated numbers of current mental health professionals in the state, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse counselors.

• Assessment must provide geographic profiles showing the distribution of each type of mental health professional across the state and identify professionals qualified to prescribe psychotropic and anti-psychotic medications.

• Assessment must gather data on university graduates in Hawaii with degrees in psychiatry, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, social work, nursing, and marriage and family therapy at bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels.

• Auditor must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2016.