Legislators are trying to fund security improvements such as patient ankle bracelets and a new security gate at the Hawaii State Hospital.

House Bill 2280 cleared its first hurdle at the House Health and Human Services Committee on Friday. It was introduced by Rep. John Mizuno, committee chair.

The November escape of Randall Saito, who was acquitted of a 1979 murder by reason of insanity, resurrected concerns about public and patient safety at the only-state run psychiatric facility in Hawaii.

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The State Hospital wasn’t originally built to house patients like Saito. Like most patients, he was committed to the hospital by a court order.

More than 100 patients have escaped from the hospital since 2001. There were 28 escapes that year. Seven patients have escaped since 2014.

“The legislature finds that this escape, perhaps the most visible incident at the hospital in recent history, was unfortunately not an isolated incident,” HB 2280 says.

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The bill notes hospital employees have begun implementing new safety guidelines, but more money is still needed to improve security.

The bill would appropriate:

For electronic ankle monitoring bracelets and metal detector wands: $35,000;

For perimeter lighting and signage: $50,000;

For closed circuit TV cameras: $500,000;

For relocating a guard shack: $650,000.

Additional funds are included in the bill to replace a gate, build a security fence and build a new locking gate at the Ala Koolau Drive entrance. Dollar amounts are not yet specified for those items.

The Health Department would be required to submit reports to the Legislature for the next three years that includes updates of the security plan’s progress and the number of escapes during the previous year.

During the hearing, Health Department representatives told lawmakers that they did not know whether the hospital had a written policy prohibiting employees from having sex with patients.

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Saito had sex with at least three hospital staff members prior to 1993, Hawaii News Now reported. An investigation is underway, but Saito has refused to say whether anyone helped him escape.

Janice Okubo, Health Department spokeswoman, confirmed in an email that the hospital has three separate policies on staff and patient relationships. They address matters such as sexual harassment, consent and abuse. Staff members are prohibited from having sex with patients, she said.

All five committee members voted to pass HB 2280 with amendments, including a request for the hospital’s policies. The new bill draft has not been uploaded yet.

The bill now advances to the House Public Safety Committee.

A representative from the office of Rep. Gregg Takayama, Public Safety Committee chair, said he did not know yet whether the bill would get a hearing in that committee, even though its vice chair, Rep. Cedric Asuega Gates, is a co-sponsor.

Ultimately, the bill would also have to be approved by the House Finance Committee before going before the full House.