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Lawmakers press governor’s mental‑health adviser on plan to increase hospital access for defendants
Summary
Testimony on HCR32/HR32 urged coordinated planning to expand access to the Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants with severe mental illness. State behavioral‑health officials urged better cross‑agency coordination, upstream diversion and assessment tools to balance clinical needs and public safety.
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs took testimony on HCR32/HR32 on April 7, a resolution requesting the governor’s senior advisor for mental health and the justice system to help formulate a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain mentally ill criminal defendants.
Courtney Matsu of the Behavioral Health Administration (Department of Health) said the department stands on its written testimony and is committed to working with the senior advisor, the Department of Justice, and other stakeholders to manage capacity at the Hawaii State Hospital and to pursue alternatives to a single "one‑size‑fits‑all" placement.
Michael Champion, the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system, told committee members that addressing the issue requires "coordinated planning, action, and implementation," including an assessment of policy and funding gaps and use of existing community resources. "Part of being able to address the needs of people in the community ... is using resources in an effective and efficient way and a coordinated way," he said.
Committee members pressed about operational detail: how expanded access would protect public safety, what assessment tools would be used to match people to appropriate levels of care, and where metrics exist to show diversion or reduced court/custody flows. Champion and other witnesses emphasized upstream stabilization, co‑response teams (EMS and CIT officers), and stepped care options so that individuals needing inpatient treatment are identified and linked to the right placements.
Why it matters: The resolution targets a longstanding concern that people with serious mental illness can cycle into the criminal justice system because of gaps upstream in community care and inconsistent placement options. The committee’s conversation focused on practical steps — assessments, diversion alternatives, and coordination across judicial, health and corrections systems — rather than new criminal penalties.
Next steps: The committee recommended HCR32/HR32 be passed as is and invited further collaboration between the governor’s office, Department of Health, and legislative members to refine operational steps and funding needs.
Ending: The resolution advances to the next stage with the expectation that agencies will continue coordination efforts to define gaps and resource needs.
