(a) There is established, within the department of health for administrative purposes, a state council on mental health. The council shall consist of twenty-one members appointed by the governor as provided in § 26-34. In making appointments to the council, the governor shall ensure that all service area boards of the State are represented, and that a majority of the members are nonproviders of mental health or other health services, and that a majority of the members are not state employees. The number of parents of children with serious emotional disturbances shall be sufficient to provide adequate representation of such children in the deliberations of the council. The council shall be composed of residents of the State, including individuals representing:
Mental health: means a state of social, psychological, and physical well-being, with capacity to function effectively in a variety of social roles. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 334-1
Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
(1) The principal state agencies with respect to mental health, education, vocational rehabilitation, criminal justice, housing, medicaid, and social services;(2) Public and private entities concerned with the need, planning, operation, funding, and use of mental health services and related support services;(3) Adults with serious mental illnesses who are receiving, or have received, mental health services;(4) The families of such adults or families of children with serious emotional disturbances; and(5) The Hawaii advisory commission on drug abuse and controlled substances who shall be a person knowledgeable about the community and the relationships between mental health, mental illness, and substance abuse.(b) The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members. All members shall serve without compensation but shall be paid their necessary expenses in attending meetings of the council.(c) The council shall advise the department on allocation of resources, statewide needs, and programs affecting two or more service areas. The council shall review and comment on the statewide comprehensive integrated service plan and shall serve as an advocate for adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbances, other individuals with mental illnesses or emotional problems, and individuals with combined mental illness substance abuse disorders.(d) If the department’s action is not in conformance with the council’s advice, the department shall provide a written explanation of its position to the council.(e) The council shall prepare and submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature on implementation of the statewide comprehensive integrated service plan. The report presented to the legislature shall be submitted at least twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.(f) A quorum for purposes of doing business shall consist of a majority of the members serving on the council immediately before a meeting begins.(g) If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority of members present shall constitute a valid act of the council unless this chapter, part I of chapter 92, the articles of incorporation, or the bylaws require a greater number of affirmative votes.
