HI SR32

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to convene a task force to develop recommendations for granting prescriptive authority to qualified psychologists in Hawai'i, Maui, and Kaua'i counties.

Task force, with assistance from the Board of Psychology, must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2022 Regular Session convenes.

Resolution cites shortage of prescribing mental health providers in rural and medically underserved communities and notes that suicide is the leading injury-related cause of death among Hawai'i residents.

Clinical psychologists currently have seven years of post-baccalaureate study and 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised practice in diagnosis and treatment, but lack prescribing authority under current Hawaii law.

Task force is dissolved on June 30, 2022.