H.B. 1309 Summary

• Establishes a suicide prevention task force within the Department of Health to examine and evaluate methods to prevent suicides in state correctional facilities.

• Task force membership includes the Directors of Health and Public Safety (as co-chairs), two gubernatorial appointees (including two former inmates who attempted suicide), one senator, one representative, one psychiatry professor from University of Hawaii, and one member from the alcohol and drug abuse division.

• Task force must meet at least quarterly, submit an interim report to the legislature by twenty days before the 2022 regular session, and submit a final strategic plan by twenty days before the 2026 regular session.

• Task force members receive no compensation and state employees may only attend meetings during meal breaks or compensatory time off.

• Task force terminates on July 1, 2026, with the Act taking effect on July 1, 2021.