Citing Civil Beat’s investigation of a jail diversion program known as Act 26, a group of senators is asking the health department to consider potential changes to the law.

Lawmakers are expressing concern that a law meant to keep people with mental illness accused of minor crimes from languishing in jail is instead trapping some people in a revolving door at the Hawaiʻi State Hospital without meaningful treatment.

In a letter sent earlier this month to state Department of Health Director Kenneth Fink, 11 senators cited Civil Beat’s reporting on the law and asked the department for detailed information on how Act 26 has been implemented and whether it is actually helping people get lasting help. They also ask the department to consider whether changes to the law are needed to prevent p

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