HI SB2529

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2022-2023 to expand Hawaii CARES crisis helpline services in response to anticipated 30% increase in call volume following the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transition to "9-8-8" dialing code on July 16, 2022.

Funds expansion and enhancement of suicide crisis hotline and crisis management services, including high-quality crisis counseling, in-person intervention by trained mental health professionals, improved care coordination, and enhanced tele-crisis support technology.

Funds expansion of crisis mobile outreach services in each county by adding registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics to crisis teams and establishing preventive youth crisis teams to respond to law enforcement requests for behavioral health assessment.

Appropriates funding to acquire a 16-bed facility for licensed crisis residential shelter services to provide sub-acute stabilization beds for youth, preventing decompensations, homelessness, and hospitalization.

Appropriates funding to expand bed stabilization services by adding 40 adult stabilization beds across all counties to serve individuals in crisis with mental health concerns or substance use disorders.