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SCR 65

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angus McKelvey and 1 co-sponsor

Hawaii requests its mental health advisor to develop a plan increasing state hospital access for mentally ill criminal defendants facing the justice system.

Offered.
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Bill Summary · SCR 65

Legislative bill overview

SCR 65 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to develop a comprehensive plan for expanding access to the Hawaii State Hospital specifically for mentally ill defendants involved in the criminal justice system. The resolution directs this advisor to identify barriers, resource needs, and implementation strategies to accommodate more individuals who require psychiatric care while navigating criminal proceedings.

Why is this important

Mental illness significantly intersects with criminal justice outcomes—individuals with untreated mental illness are overrepresented in jails and prisons, often cycling through the system without receiving appropriate care. Expanding access to the Hawaii State Hospital could divert mentally ill defendants from incarceration toward treatment, potentially reducing recidivism, improving health outcomes, and reducing costs associated with incarceration of individuals whose primary need is psychiatric intervention.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Expanding hospital access requires substantial funding; unclear whether existing budgets can absorb increased admissions or if new appropriations will be necessary
  • Hospital capacity constraints: The Hawaii State Hospital may already operate at or near capacity; plans must address whether expansion means physical facility upgrades or accepting longer wait times
  • Defining "access" criteria: Ambiguity around which mentally ill-criminal defendants qualify could lead to disputes about prioritization and fairness in admission decisions
  • Implementation timeline and accountability: The resolution requests a plan but includes no deadline or enforcement mechanism to ensure the advisor actually delivers recommendations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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