This bill asks the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a strategic plan for addressing homelessness and behavioral health needs on the Waianae Coast. The plan must include an analysis of emergency response times, hospital usage for psychiatric crises, available crisis beds, service gaps, and coordination between outreach teams and first responders. It also requires evaluating the feasibility of a regional crisis stabilization center and identifying any legal or budget changes needed to improve outcomes. Community-based service providers must be involved in developing the plan, which will be reported to the Legislature by March 2027.
This Senate Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing bed availability at the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request stems from concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits options for those needing treatment within the criminal justice system. The resolution directs the advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these specific populations and to submit a report with findings and potential new legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate immediate policy changes but serves as a formal request for planning and coordination among state agencies.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and local leaders to acknowledge and fix the uneven distribution of mental health facilities, sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes across Oahu. It specifically highlights the concentration of these services along the Waianae coast and urges officials to consider factors like proximity to schools, transparency, insurance, and community input when planning future placements. The resolution directs government agencies and community partners to consult on these issues but does not mandate any specific policy changes or funding.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The bill asks the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to work together to develop a program that trains students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. It emphasizes providing standardized training with clear referral pathways to licensed mental health professionals while prioritizing face-to-face peer relationships and culturally appropriate approaches. The resolution also requests the Hawaii State Youth Commission to help design and evaluate the program to ensure it meets student needs and maintains cultural responsiveness.
This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of hiring mental health professionals for every public school, with staffing ratios of one professional per 250 students or one per smaller school. The study will also examine guidelines for creating safe, quiet spaces on school campuses where students can access telehealth services during regular school hours. The resolution directs the Department of Education to complete this study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure is a Senate Resolution, which means it expresses the Senate's position rather than creating immediate law.
Governor Josh Green has nominated Kanwardeep Kaleka for a position on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Kaua'i Service Area Board, with a term ending June 30, 2030. This nomination requires confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate before Kaleka can assume the role. The board serves Kaua'i residents by overseeing mental health and substance abuse services in the region. The process follows Hawaii's constitutional requirement for gubernatorial nominations of board members to be confirmed by the Senate.
HB 2098 authorizes the state to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYCOMP), a multi-state agreement. If enacted, it would allow licensed psychologists in participating states to provide telehealth services and practice across state lines more easily. This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to serve clients in other compact states and their clients. The bill itself only establishes the state's ability to enter the compact; it does not create new licensing rules or requirements.
Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychologists when patients are located in compact states other than the state where the psychologist is licensed. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact.
Exempts health care facilities operated or services provided by the Department of Health, chronic renal dialysis centers, and psychiatric behavioral health services from the State Health Planning and Development Agency's certificate of need requirements. (SD1)
Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face‑to‑face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
