Finding That "excited Delirium" And "excited Delirium Syndrome" Are Not Medical Diagnoses Recognized By Any Leading Medical Or Other Scientific Organization And Requesting All State And County Government Entities To Refrain From Indicating "excited Delirium" Or "excited Delirium Syndrome" As A Cause Of Death.
Summary
H.R. 188 is a House Resolution that states the Legislature’s finding that “excited delirium” and “excited delirium syndrome” are not recognized medical diagnoses by leading medical or scientific organizations. The resolution cites prior committee reports, medical organizations, and the World Health Organization to support the conclusion that the term lacks a valid scientific basis and has not been included in standard diagnostic systems such as the DSM or ICD classifications.
The resolution further requests that all state and county government entities refrain from listing “excited delirium” or “excited delirium syndrome” as a cause of death on autopsy reports, death certificates, or in any other official context. It also directs certified copies of the resolution to the Department of Health, county medical examiners or coroners, and county police chiefs. As a resolution, it expresses legislative intent and policy guidance rather than directly amending statutes, but it is aimed at influencing official death-investigation and reporting practices across Hawaii.
Impact
HR 188 would not itself change statutory law, but it would create an official legislative statement discouraging the use of “excited delirium” as a cause of death in state and county records. Its practical effect would be to pressure medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies to use only recognized medical terminology in autopsy findings, death certificates, and related reports, potentially affecting how deaths in custody or during police encounters are documented and interpreted.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of the resolution’s position. The findings emphasize that the term is medically discredited and has been used to obscure accountability in deaths involving law enforcement, especially in cases involving people of color and individuals experiencing mental health crises. The context provided shows no recorded opposition, votes, or committee debate for this resolution, but the cited prior committee reports indicate substantial institutional support among lawmakers who have previously considered similar measures.
Contention
The main point of contention is the use of “excited delirium” in death investigations and legal proceedings. Supporters argue the term is unscientific, absent from recognized diagnostic systems, and has been used to justify or excuse police violence and avoid accountability in custody deaths. Opponents, if any, are not identified in the provided record, but the issue implicates medical examiners, law enforcement, and defense experts who may have relied on the term in past cases. The resolution also reflects an ongoing policy dispute over whether official reports should prioritize contested terminology or strictly recognized medical diagnoses.
Same As
Finding That "excited Delirium" And "excited Delirium Syndrome" Are Not Medical Diagnoses Recognized By Any Leading Medical Or Other Scientific Organization And Requesting All State And County Government Entities To Refrain From Indicating "excited Delirium" Or "excited Delirium Syndrome" As A Cause Of Death.
Requesting Each County Police Department In The State To Purchase And Deploy Explosion Detection Technology To Locate And Respond To Explosions Caused By The Illegal Use Of Firearms And Fireworks.
Requesting Each County Police Department In The State To Purchase And Deploy Explosion Detection Technology To Locate And Respond To Explosions Caused By The Illegal Use Of Firearms And Fireworks.
Finding That "excited Delirium" And "excited Delirium Syndrome" Are Not Medical Diagnoses Recognized By Any Leading Medical Or Other Scientific Organization And Requesting All State And County Government Entities To Refrain From Indicating "excited Delirium" Or "excited Delirium Syndrome" As A Cause Of Death.
Urging The Prohibition Of The Use Of "excited Delirium", Or Similar Pseudoscientific Concepts, As A Medical Diagnosis, Cause Of Death, Or Legal Theory In The State Of Hawaii.
Urging The Prohibition Of The Use Of "excited Delirium", Or Similar Pseudoscientific Concepts, As A Medical Diagnosis, Cause Of Death, Or Legal Theory In The State Of Hawaii.
Prohibits the use of the term "excited delirium" as a diagnosis, label, or cause of death on death certificates, autopsy reports, police reports or any report, policy or procedure by a public agency or contractor; defines excited delirium.