SB 2132 Summary

• Restores 99 permanent positions to the Department of Health's Adult Mental Health Division that were eliminated during COVID-19 pandemic budget cuts, which represented an 11% staff reduction.

• Amends Act 88, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021 to increase funding for adult mental health outpatient services (HTH420) from $177.50 million to $210.00 million and inpatient services (HTH430) from $737.00 million to $803.5 million.

• Appropriates additional funds including $11,610,000 for outpatient operations and $6,180,433 for inpatient operations to support restored positions including social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, and mental health specialists.

• Restores staffing capacity to serve individuals with serious mental illness who are uninsured, underinsured, court-ordered for evaluation, in state custody, or in crisis.

• Takes effect January 1, 2050.