SCR 149 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE SERVICES AND FUNDING NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSES THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESSES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create an informal working group to evaluate services and funding for patients with multiple diagnoses, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical illnesses. The working group will examine how to better integrate care for these high-need individuals, potentially by establishing residential treatment facilities that combine medical, behavioral, and social support services. The group will consider specific service models, staffing needs, and funding options, with the goal of reducing fragmented care and improving health outcomes. The Department of Health is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Signed May 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SCR149_HD1 SCR149_SD1 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was revised to change the Department of Health's task from establishing a formal working group to creating an 'informal working group' to assess needs for complex patients with co-occurring disorders. The revision adds specific language requiring the Legislature to find that these patients represent a high-need population and clarifies that the group should consist of relevant stakeholders and administrators from various state agencies.
Scope change
The scope of the request to the Department of Health was narrowed by changing the group type from a formal 'working group' to an 'informal working group,' while simultaneously expanding the definition of who can participate to include 'relevant stakeholders' and 'administrators or designees from various relevant state agencies.'
REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for the Department of Health to establish a 'working group' to establish an 'informal working group' instead.

Added a finding that the Legislature recognizes complex patients with co-occurring disorders as a high-need, high-cost population requiring integrated care.

Modified the composition of the group to explicitly include 'relevant stakeholders' and 'administrators or designees from various relevant state agencies' as determined by the Director of Health.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Amendments
2
May 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Resolution adopted in final form.
upper
May 6, 2026
Introduced
Senate agrees with House amendments. Placed on the calendar for Final Adoption on 05-08-26.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Amended
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 809).
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2238-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Amato.
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to HLT, referral sheet 29
lower
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 28
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 488) in amended form (SD 1).
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3496) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole.
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 1:07PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to HHS.
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Offered.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joy San Buenaventura
Joy San Buenaventura
DDemocratic
HI
2