HB 1706 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Summary

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB1706 → HB1706_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify that the Department of Human Services must adopt rules for Medicaid reimbursement of services provided by supervised pre-licensed mental health professionals. The changes expand the scope by explicitly including Medicaid managed care programs and requiring the department to seek necessary federal waivers. The effective date was significantly altered from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 3000, with a provision that the law is only enforceable once approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly applies to Medicaid managed care programs and requires the department to seek federal approvals, broadening the administrative requirements for implementation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for the Department of Human Services to adopt rules from allowing reimbursement for 'unlicensed' professionals to a broader mandate for 'this purpose' and seeking federal approvals.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly included Medicaid beneficiaries under managed care plans in the eligibility criteria for reimbursement.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 3000, and added a condition that the act is enforceable only upon CMS approval.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a specific enforcement limitation stating the bill is only enforceable to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 370-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSH, CPC, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

16 primary · 0 co-sponsors