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 Resolution urges the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health to create a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to prepare Hawaii for potential new mental health treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy. The proposed task force would include representatives from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, mental health professionals, legal experts, Native Hawaiian health organizations, and individuals with lived experience. The group is tasked with developing a statewide plan for clinical trials, workforce training, patient safety, and equitable access to these therapies once federal approval is granted. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2027. This resolution is a non-binding recommendation that does not change current laws but aims to guide future policy development.