Informing the Legislature that on June 27, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3139 SD2 HD3 CD1 (ACT 086).

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Health to create a crisis intervention and diversion program aimed at helping individuals with mental health or substance use issues avoid the criminal justice system. The program will work with law enforcement and courts to redirect people facing charges for offenses like public intoxication or loitering into appropriate health care services instead. Key provisions allow the department to lease or build a behavioral health crisis center and define the role of mental health emergency workers in stabilizing individuals. Additionally, the bill requires the department to conduct statewide assessments of service needs and establish rules for defining geographical service areas for mental health and substance abuse care.