HB 1334 Summary

• Appropriates funds to expand Hawaii CARES (988 Mental Health Hotline) program to reduce caller wait times and add telehealth services for fiscal year 2023-2024

• Creates one full-time coordinator position within the Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division to oversee statewide crisis mobile outreach teams and expand 24/7 response capability across all counties

• Appropriates funds to increase mental health crisis stabilization bed capacity across all counties, with the coordinator working with counties and state agencies to identify where additional beds are needed

• Implements recommendations from the Department of Health working groups to make Hawaii's mental health crisis response system more efficient and cost-effective while reducing reliance on emergency rooms, jails, and police responses

• Takes effect on July 1, 2023