Gary W. Spinks Memorial Bridge

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stan Adkins

HCR 63 urges DCR to offer statewide, staff-only clinical counseling for correctional workers, separate from inmate mental health; nonbinding, no funding mandate.

To Transportation and Infrastructure

Summary — HCR 63 (2025) — Correctional Staff Clinical Counseling Services

Status: Concurrent resolution (HCR 63). Filed Feb 5, 2025. Document text requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) to make clinical counseling services available to correctional facility staff statewide that are separate and distinct from mental‑health resources provided to inmates.

Note on inconsistent metadata: the packet provided includes conflicting titles and sponsor lists. The bill text and most legislative actions describe a Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution directing DCR to provide separate clinical counseling to correctional staff. This summary is based on that resolution text.

Purpose / Intent

To urge and request the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide correctional facility staff members with access to clinical counseling services that are distinct from the mental‑health services available to incarcerated individuals. The intent is to address staff well‑being by ensuring staff have confidential, staff‑focused clinical supports.

Key provisions

Requests that DCR make clinical counseling services available to correctional facility staff across the State.

Specifies these staff services should be separate and distinct from existing inmate mental‑health resources (i.e., not shared or routed through inmate programs).

As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the legislature’s direction and request but does not create binding law, regulatory mandates, nor appropriate funding.

Who is affected

Primary: Correctional facility staff (e.g., correctional officers, administrative and support personnel, healthcare and program staff) employed at state correctional institutions.

Secondary: DCR (as the agency requested to provide services), state administrators responsible for employee wellness programs, and potentially vendor/contractor providers if services are contracted.

Potential impacts and considerations

Positive impacts: improved staff mental health, reduced burnout and turnover, better safety and functioning within facilities, and potentially fewer staff‑related incidents.

Administrative/resource considerations: the resolution does not appropriate funds; implementing DCR may require budget allocation, staffing, training, confidentiality protocols, or contracting with external clinicians.

Service design considerations: ensuring confidentiality, defining eligibility, access methods (on‑site, telehealth), hours, and whether peer support or trauma‑informed care will be included.

Procedural / timeline notes

Filed: Feb 5, 2025. Committee referrals and report activity occurred in March 2025 (PBS and FIN referenced).

Legislative actions in the provided record include readings and committee reports in March–June 2025, and entries indicating passage in the House and Senate (entries dated June 11, 2025). Because file metadata contains inconsistencies, consult the official legislative website or clerk’s office for the authoritative current status and any implementing guidance.