Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 76: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENT WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS, SERVICES, AND FUNDING FOR COMPLEX NEEDS PATIENTS WHO HAVE MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT BUT NOT SEVERE DIAGNOSES OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESS CONDITIONS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to form a working group to study the needs, services, and funding for patients with multiple chronic conditions that are significant but not severe, including co-occurring substance use, mental health, and physical illnesses. The proposed working group would include representatives from various health agencies and service providers to examine how integrated care models can better serve this population, which currently faces fragmented treatment and high healthcare costs. The group is tasked with evaluating specific service options such as residential treatment facilities, medication-assisted treatment, mental health care, primary health services, and support for housing and employment. The Department of Health must submit a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests formation of working group to address needs, services, and funding for complex needs patients, indicating intent to improve healthcare access and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 132: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This bill does not change current attendance policies but instead requests data collection and analysis to inform potential future policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health absences to improve student well-being and attendance, supporting student welfare and educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness by studying mental health-related absences, potentially improving student well-being and supporting mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 28: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM AND FOR APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS SERVICES.

This bill requests the state Auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a proposed law that would expand health insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment services. The measure specifically targets the removal of current restrictions that limit coverage to individuals under 14 years old and cap applied behavioral analysis benefits at $25,000 annually. By requiring an assessment before the proposed changes take effect, the bill ensures lawmakers receive data on how expanding coverage would affect healthcare costs and access for adolescents and adults with autism. The report must be completed and submitted to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand autism health insurance coverage by removing age and benefit caps, strengthening access to essential healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 149: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE SERVICES AND FUNDING NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSES THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESSES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create an informal working group to evaluate services and funding for patients with multiple diagnoses, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical illnesses. The working group will examine how to better integrate care for these high-need individuals, potentially by establishing residential treatment facilities that combine medical, behavioral, and social support services. The group will consider specific service models, staffing needs, and funding options, with the goal of reducing fragmented care and improving health outcomes. The Department of Health is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to assess and improve services and funding for complex patients with multiple diagnoses, including mental health and substance use disorders, indicating support for healthcare access and integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 163: REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ARTS-BASED SOCIAL PRESCRIBING WITHIN PUBLIC INSURANCE, PRIVATE INSURANCE, AND PREPAID HEALTH CARE PLANS IN HAWAII.

This bill requests the Hawaii Director of Health to form a working group to study whether arts-based social prescribing - where doctors recommend participation in creative activities like music, dance, or theater as part of mental health treatment - can be integrated into public, private, and prepaid health insurance plans. The working group will include representatives from health insurers, arts organizations, healthcare providers, and relevant state agencies to examine legal, regulatory, and financial feasibility across Hawaii's multi-payer system. The group will analyze potential impacts on patient outcomes and costs, explore pilot program opportunities, and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill proposes studying arts-based social prescribing integration into health insurance plans, potentially expanding mental health treatment options and healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health-related absences to improve student well-being and attendance, potentially expanding support for student health needs in education.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on mental health-related absences to potentially improve student outcomes and recognize mental health needs, indicating support for mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 116: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill requests the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated strategic action plan for addressing behavioral health and homelessness on the Waianae Coast. The plan would analyze emergency response times, hospital utilization, and current shelter capacity to identify service gaps and high-need areas in the region. It also requires the agencies to evaluate how well outreach teams, behavioral health providers, and first responders work together and to explore options for establishing a regional crisis stabilization center. The agencies must include community-based service providers in the planning process and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to develop a strategic action plan for behavioral health and homelessness, improving access to mental health services and healthcare coordination.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of strategic action plan to address homelessness and behavioral health needs, which directly supports housing solutions and homelessness response efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 171: 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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill proposes creating a task force to integrate breakthrough mental health therapies, expand clinical trials, and increase treatment capacity, directly advancing mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 153: REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ARTS-BASED SOCIAL PRESCRIBING WITHIN PUBLIC INSURANCE, PRIVATE INSURANCE, AND PREPAID HEALTH CARE PLANS IN HAWAII.

This House Resolution asks Hawaii's Director of Health to form a working group to study whether arts-based social prescribing can be added to public, private, and prepaid health insurance plans. Arts-based social prescribing involves doctors recommending participation in creative activities like music, dance, or visual arts as part of treatment for mental health conditions. The working group will include representatives from health insurers, arts organizations, and healthcare providers to examine legal, financial, and practical issues related to covering these services. The group will evaluate potential benefits, design pilot programs, and submit findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change current laws but initiates a study to determine if such programs are feasible for Hawaii's healthcare system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes arts-based social prescribing as a treatment option for mental health, expanding healthcare services and support for mental health conditions through creative activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 169: URGING THE STATE AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE INEQUITABLE LOCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE LIVING HOMES ACROSS THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and city officials to acknowledge that mental health facilities, sober homes, and homeless shelters are unevenly distributed across Oahu, with too many concentrated along the Waianae coast. It requests that Partners in Care Oahu consult with community stakeholders on issues such as facility proximity to schools and parks, transparency, insurance, law enforcement resources, oversight, and community engagement. The resolution formally notifies various government leaders and officials about these concerns but does not create new laws or mandate specific actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses equitable distribution of mental health and supportive housing, which reduces reliance on law enforcement for crisis situations and supports criminal justice reform through better community resources.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses mental health facility distribution inequities and requests stakeholder consultation to improve access and oversight, supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses equitable distribution of supportive housing facilities and homeless shelters, promoting better access to housing resources across Oahu.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Homelessness

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