Weekly Recap

From Hawaii Family Forum, April 18, 2019

The Veil Is Torn

On this day, we remember that Jesus poured out His love, indiscriminately, for each and every person.  Every life, every breath - lives who came before and those who are yet to come.  Why?  Because He wanted to show the world an example of true love.  True sacrifice.

May each of you be blessed immeasurably as people of faith around the world UNITE for a message of hope.  The veil IS torn.  We can enter into the Holy of Holies in fellowship with a God who loved us enough to design us unique and precious.   See you at the altar as we worship at the feet of a mighty Savior! Amen and Amen!

Protection of Hawaii's Keiki

MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION

HB 1383 SD1 decriminalizes the possession of 3 grams or less of marijuana and establish that the possession is a violation punishable by a monetary fine of $30. Provides for the expungement of criminal records pertaining solely to the possession of 3 grams or less of marijuana. Establishes a marijuana evaluation task force to make recommendations on changing marijuana use penalties and outcomes in the State.
STATUS:  On April 15, House Conferees Appointed: C. Lee, Luke Co-Chairs; Morikawa, Takayama, Thielen. Senate members have not been appointed at this time.

Every Life Matters!

Most of the suicide bills we have been tracking are in conference committee to work out disagreements.  Below are the status reports for each of the bills:

SUICIDE PREVENTION

HB 330 CD1 is to support efforts to reduce the rates of youth suicide attempts on a statewide level.  The bill was amended in conference committee to (1) remove specific references to the counties of Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui to allow for statewide youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives;(2) appropriate $150,000 for the youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives; and (3)  change the effective date to July 1, 2019.  
STATUS:  The bill will be voted on by both the House and Senate on Monday, April 22.

HB655 SD1 designates the month of September of each year as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. 
STATUS:  On 04/18/19 the House sent a notice to the Senate that it has reconsidered its disagreement from 04/11/19.  That means that the bill may not have to go to a conference committee.  We will keep you posted.

HB 1416 SD1 establishes a Suicide Prevention Commission to develop a strategic plan to reduce suicides within Hawaii's correctional system. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health to develop a centralized assessment and treatment program.
STATUS:  On 04/11/19, the House notified the Senate that it disagreed with the Senate's changes to the bill.  No committee members from either chamber has been assigned yet.

SB 383 HD1 requires DOE to establish a mandatory youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and model risk referral protocol, based on existing materials created by DOH, for all public schools, including charter schools. Requires charter schools to provide the training program and risk referral protocol to all school personnel who work directly with students in department schools and charter schools, respectively.
STATUS:  On April 18th, Senate Conferees were appointed: Senator(s) Kidani Chair; Ruderman, Baker, Kanuha Co-Chairs; Fevella.  House committee members have not been appointed yet.

End of Life Options: Comfort Care not Assisted Suicide

PALLIATIVE CARE

SB 804 HD1 establishes the culturally competent palliative care pilot program within the DOH to provide public education and conduct two home- or community-based palliative care pilot programs. Establishes an advisory group to oversee the pilot program. Appropriates funds.
STATUS:  On April 15, House Conferees Appointed: Mizuno, Takumi, B. Kobayashi Co-Chairs; Ward. On April 18, Senate Conferees Appointed: Baker Chair; English Co-Chair; Nishihara, Fevella.  Conference meetings are not scheduled at this time, but most likely will happen next week.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

APR 22  SECOND CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS

Deadline for passing amended concurrent resolutions in the non-originating chamber in order to "cross back" to the originating chamber.

APR 25  FINAL DECKING OF NON-FISCAL BILLS

Deadline for submitting non-fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers.

APR 26 FINAL DECKING OF FISCAL BILLS

Deadline for submitting fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers. Fiscal bills include appropriation or spending bills, tax credits, etc., or any bill with a House Finance or Senate Ways and Means referral.

MAY 2  ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

In Latin, "sine die" means "without a day specified for future meeting." Adjournment sine die occurs on the 60th legislative day of a Regular Session, and indicates a suspension of the business of the legislature indefinitely. Next, the Legislature will certify the bills whose form both chambers have agreed to, and will transmit or "enroll" those bills to the Governor. Contact PAR for information regarding the Governor's deadlines.