Final Report for 2016 Legislative Session

From Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Family Advocates May 6, 2016

This is the last Week in Review we are sending out as the 2016 legislative session has now closed (Sine Die).  We will send out a monthly enews once again starting May 27th.  At that time, we hope to include Duke Aiona's final review of the session. 

In the meantime, here are some of the highlights of the bills that passed:

• Lowering the age of consent for minors (from 18 to 14) to receive mental health services (without parental consent):  Passed House Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Har voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Kong, Matsumoto, McDermott, Oshiro, Tupola, Ward voting no (6) and Representative(s) Hashem, Say, Thielen, Tokioka excused (4).Comprehensive drug overdose legislation to help reduce and prevent unnecessary overdose injuries and deaths in our communities.  Final Senate Vote:  24 Aye(s); Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim . 1 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard.
• Critical sex trafficking legislation (HB 1902 HD 2 SD1 CD1) to help protect the most vulnerable among us, punish criminals who prey on our beloved children, and ensure that victims will get the help that they need.   Bill was sent to the Governor for signature on May 5.
• 12 million dollars to directly help alleviate the homeless crisis (HB 1700 CD1) currently impacting our state, and to offer some relief to those who are suffering on our streets, and millions more to support building new affordable houses for our people who seek home ownership.
• Funding to construct a new mental health hospital on Oahu which will provide mentally ill patients statewide, a safe and therapeutic environment. 
• Resolutions to celebrate Planned Parenthood (SCR 85 SD1 / SR 56 SD1)
• Resolution (HCR 66 HD1 SD1) to create a task force to prevent suicide and recommend a strategic plan to reduce suicides by at least 25% by 2025. We were disappointed that there is no discussion to add physician-assisted suicide to this task force.

• Physician-assisted suicide (aka: death by doctor)
• Legalized gambling
• Prescriptive authority for psychologists (the bill stalled in the final hour)
• Banning faith-based psychologists from counseling based on their deeply held religious convictions (this bill will be back with a vengeance next session)
• A bill to protect religious freedom (this didn't even get a hearing in ANY committee in either the House or Senate)

National Day of Prayer (Hawaii)

Two events happened at the State Capitol last night (May 5, 2016) to bring people together to join in prayer.  Several hundred people gathered in both the State Capitol rotunda and in the State Capitol Auditorium to do one thing:  PRAY!  Both Eva Andrade and Duke & Vivian Aiona participated by offering prayers for the state government and the family. 

Grade the Hawaii State Legislators for 2016

How do you rate the work of Hawaii's legislators for 2016?  Click the link and let us know how our legislators did on issues like life, religious freedom, housing and homelessness, balancing the budget.  It only takes about 5 minutes tops to do this. Please note that if you have never used our VoterVoice system before, when you click the link to rate them, it may ask for a validation code.  If this happens, simply check your email for the code.  VoterVoice ensures that no one else is submitting things on your behalf.  We will release the results of this survey in about four weeks

May 8, 2016 (MOTHER'S DAY) 
Do something wonderful for your mom or someone who is "like" a mom to you.