Bill affecting mentally ill patients moves along

A bill advancing in the Senate assures that family members or guardians will be notified when mentally ill patients get a court hearing.

Members of the state Committee on Consumer Protection, Commerce and Health on Thursday recommended approval of the bill (SB 122). Introduced by state Sen. Karl Rhoads, the measure now goes before the Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.

The legislation stems from the death of two Kauai residents on Dec. 2, 2011, when a mentally ill man fatally stabbed his neighbor and continued his attacks on others until he was shot to death by police.

The family members of Shendon Taniguchi said although they were responsible for having him committed for 48 hours to a psychiatric ward, they were never notified that a Family Court hearing took place to evaluate whether to release him. Family members said they would have testified against his release, based on his inability to remember to take his medication regularly.

The stabbings occurred a day after he was released.

Revisions to the bill are expected to avoid potential conflicts with federal laws guaranteeing the privacy of patients in certain circumstances.