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SB 2222 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Summary
Requires the Department of Education to identify as an excused absence any absence due to the student's mental or behavioral health. Limits the number of excused absences due to mental or behavioral health that a student may take per academic year. Exempts an absence due to the student's mental or behavioral health from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory school attendance.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows mental health absences to be excused without penalty, supporting student well-being and educational access while setting reasonable limits to prevent abuse.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates mental health absences as excused, removing penalties for students seeking care, aligning with improved access to mental health services under healthcare topic.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jan 26, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 26, 2026
Committee
Referred to EDU, JDC.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and passed First Reading.
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Pending Introduction.
upper
3 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joy San Buenaventura
Joy San Buenaventura
DDemocratic
HI
2
P
Photo of Kurt Fevella
Kurt Fevella
RRepublican
HI
20
P
Photo of Stanley Chang
Stanley Chang
DDemocratic
HI
9
Co
Photo of Glenn Wakai
Glenn Wakai
DDemocratic
HI
15