URGING THE CONVENING OF A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGING THERAPIES TASK FORCE TO PREPARE THE STATE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF BREAKTHROUGH THERAPIES AND TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND CLINICAL TRIALS, RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS, AND TREATMENT CAPACITY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health to create a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to prepare Hawaii for the potential integration of breakthrough mental health treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy. The proposed task force would include representatives from state health agencies, universities, mental health professionals, and community members with lived experience to develop a statewide implementation plan. Key responsibilities include expanding clinical trial opportunities, creating training pathways for healthcare providers, and evaluating best practices from other states to ensure safe and equitable access. The resolution does not authorize funding or change laws but serves as a non-binding recommendation to establish a planning committee that will submit findings to the Legislature by 2027.