Healthcare (Mental Health)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1333: Informing the Legislature that on July 10, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1705 HD1 SD2 (ACT 231).

This bill, known as Act 231, expands the pool of qualified professionals who can serve as child custody evaluators in Hawaii by including licensed mental health counselors. Currently, only marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers are eligible, but this legislation adds licensed mental health counselors to the list of approved professionals. The change aims to address high demand and long wait times for evaluations, which can delay critical decisions affecting children's well-being and increase costs for families. By allowing counselors to perform these evaluations, the bill seeks to reduce backlogs and make the process more accessible and equitable for families involved in family court proceedings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands the pool of qualified mental health professionals to address wait times and improve access to child custody evaluations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 16, 2026

GM 1370: Informing the Legislature that on July 16, 2026, the following bill became law without the Governor's signature: SB847 SD2 HD2 CD1 (Act 266).

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing qualified clinical psychologists to prescribe specific psychotropic medications under the supervision of a physician or psychiatrist. The program is limited to treating patients between the ages of 18 and 65 at federally qualified health centers located in Kauai and Hawaii counties. The legislation aims to improve access to mental health care in these areas by expanding the scope of practice for psychologists who have completed specialized training in psychopharmacology.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health care by allowing psychologists to prescribe medication in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

GM 1207: Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2519 HD1 CD1 (ACT 107).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that the Governor signed Act 107 into law on June 8, 2026. The legislation requires all new law enforcement officers hired after June 30, 2028, to complete specific training in areas such as de-escalation, mental health response, and implicit bias before being employed. Additionally, the law mandates that these officers must receive official certification from the state board starting July 1, 2028, unless they have completed an equivalent program in another jurisdiction. The act applies to hiring practices across various county police departments and state agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates de-escalation, mental health, and implicit bias training for officers, enhancing police accountability and reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health response training for law enforcement, directly improving public health safety and mental health support.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1249: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2921 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 148).

This bill directs the Director of Finance to move approximately $47.2 million from various state special funds into the general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027. The transfer includes balances from diverse areas such as tobacco enforcement, mental health services, and tax administration that exceed their specific annual requirements. The legislation aims to create a financial reserve to help the state maintain essential services if federal funding decreases or economic conditions worsen. It explicitly states that these transfers must not harm the state's ability to receive federal aid or meet existing contracts and bond obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill transfers funds to the general fund to create a financial reserve, strengthening state fiscal management and protecting essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill transfers funds including mental health service balances to a general reserve, ensuring continued funding for essential health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1246: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1854 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 145).

This bill establishes a new office within the Department of Health to certify community behavioral health clinics and provide them with technical assistance. The legislation creates an oversight board and a certifying office staffed by specific roles like a quality manager and data engineer to manage these clinics. The new office will set certification standards that meet or exceed federal requirements, administer a fixed payment system for services, and monitor clinic compliance. Clinics that meet these criteria will be officially certified to ensure consistent access to mental health and substance use services across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new office to certify behavioral health clinics, provide technical assistance, and improve service standards, directly strengthening mental health infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

GM 1152: Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2505 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 052).

This bill serves as a formal notification that Governor Josh Green signed HB 2505 into law on May 27, 2026, making it official state legislation. The underlying law modifies how the state handles individuals committed to the Department of Health for mental health treatment by adding a new pathway called assisted community treatment. Under this provision, if a clinical team decides an individual does not need involuntary hospitalization but still requires oversight, they must identify a community mental health program to provide services and file a petition with the family court. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and ensures that individuals remain in custody only until a judge rules on the petition for community treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new assisted community treatment pathway for mental health, expanding access to care and reducing reliance on involuntary hospitalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 209: COMMENDING TUMUA TUINEI FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A LEADING FIGURE IN HAWAIʻI’S ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY, HIS COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI TO SUPPORT YOUTH WELLNESS, AND HIS POSITIVE, FAR‑REACHING SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE THAT UPLIFTS AND PERPETUATES HAWAIʻI’S CULTURE WHILE BRINGING LAUGHTER TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAIʻI.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally commends comedian Tumua Tuinei for his contributions to Hawaii's entertainment industry and community. It recognizes his work as a cultural ambassador who promotes local humor and values through his social media presence and live performances. The resolution also highlights his partnership with the Hawaii Department of Health to support youth wellness and mental health initiatives. This measure serves as an official acknowledgment of his achievements rather than a law that changes policy or mandates action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commends collaboration with Dept of Health for youth wellness and mental health initiatives, indicating support for health programs.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 59: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Governor of Hawaii to create procedures allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice temporarily during a state of emergency without holding a Hawaii license. The measure specifically targets physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and other designated professionals who must hold valid licenses in their home jurisdictions and be affiliated with recognized emergency response organizations. Key provisions include permitting telehealth services without prior patient relationships, requiring professionals to register within 24 hours of deployment, and limiting authorization to 60 days or until the emergency ends. The resolution also establishes an online registry for tracking participating professionals and includes liability protections for the state while maintaining malpractice standards for the practitioners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to healthcare services during emergencies by allowing out-of-state professionals to practice without Hawaii licenses, improving patient care availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SR 34: 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 Senate Resolution requests the Auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a proposed bill that would expand health insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment. The measure would remove the current age limit of fourteen years and eliminate the $25,000 annual cap on applied behavioral analysis services, directly affecting individuals with autism and their families. The Auditor is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature within twenty days before the 2027 session begins. This procedural step ensures an assessment is completed before any changes to insurance mandates are finalized.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand autism health insurance coverage by removing age limits and increasing service caps, directly advancing healthcare access and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 102: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE, TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PEER COUNSELOR PROGRAM TO ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS AND SOCIAL DISCONNECTION IN HAWAII'S SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address youth loneliness and social disconnection. The program would involve trained student peer counselors who receive standardized instruction in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices to foster peer connections and early identification of emotional distress. The Department of Education would lead implementation in collaboration with the Department of Health, Office of Wellness and Resilience, and Hawaii State Youth Commission, starting with pilot programs in select schools before statewide rollout. The resolution emphasizes face-to-face interaction, trust-building activities, and clear referral pathways to licensed mental health professionals while prioritizing culturally appropriate approaches for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools, enhancing student wellness and educational support services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes peer counselor program to address youth mental health and social disconnection, expanding mental health services in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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