HI
Hawaii Senate Bill SR42
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR42

Introduced
3/10/26  

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education, In Consultation With The Department Of Health, To Conduct A Study On The Cost And Benefits Of Hiring Mental Health Professionals For Every Public School And Of Distributing Guidelines On Telehealth Safe Spaces.

Impact

The resolution proposes hiring one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled in public schools. For schools with fewer than 250 students, it advocates for the hiring of at least one mental health professional. This plan underscores the essential role public schools play in providing supervision and addressing the mental health needs of students during school hours. The inclusion of guidelines for establishing and operating safe spaces for telehealth sessions within schools is also aimed at facilitating better access to mental health services, particularly in light of the decreasing utilization of telehealth by young patients.

Summary

Senate Resolution 42 urges the Hawaii Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to conduct a comprehensive study assessing the feasibility and advantages of hiring mental health professionals for public schools across the state. The resolution aligns with rising concerns over the mental health crisis affecting youth, highlighted by increasing rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among students, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This initiative seeks to address the shortage of mental health specialists in schools and aims to improve access to mental health resources for students.

Contention

A potential point of contention surrounding SR42 may involve discussions about funding and resource allocation for hiring additional mental health professionals. Stakeholders might debate the practical implications of implementing this resolution, particularly regarding the need for sufficient funding to support such a program. The study requested in the resolution is expected to generate findings that could influence future legislative proposals and determine the state's commitment to enhancing youth mental health support in public schools. Additionally, the resolution calls for a report to be submitted to the Legislature prior to the 2027 session, which may bring further discussions on the effectiveness and necessity of such initiatives.

Latest HI SR42 Activity

View All Events: HI 2026 Regular Session SR42

Companion Bills

HI SCR43

Same As Urging The Department Of Education, In Consultation With The Department Of Health, To Conduct A Study On The Cost And Benefits Of Hiring Mental Health Professionals For Every Public School And Of Distributing Guidelines On Telehealth Safe Spaces.

Previously Filed As

HI SR95

Requesting The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health And State Public Charter School Commission, To Conduct A Study On The Practices Of Managing Heat Exposure In Department And Charter Schools To Protect Students' Health During Outdoor Activities.

HI SCR114

Requesting The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health And State Public Charter School Commission, To Conduct A Study On The Practices Of Managing Heat Exposure In Department And Charter Schools To Protect Students' Health During Outdoor Activities.

HI HCR186

Requesting The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health And State Public Charter School Commission, To Conduct A Study On The Practices Of Managing Heat Exposure In Department And Charter Schools To Protect Students' Health During Outdoor Activities.

HI HR179

Requesting The Department Of Education, In Collaboration With The Department Of Health And State Public Charter School Commission, To Conduct A Study On The Practices Of Managing Heat Exposure In Department And Charter Schools To Protect Students' Health During Outdoor Activities.

HI SR55

Requesting The Department Of Education And Department Of Health To Update Vaccination Forms And Recordkeeping For Public School And Charter School Students.

HI SR98

Urging The Department Of Education To Collaborate With The Department Of Transportation, Safe Routes To School Advisory Committee, And The County Of Hawaii To Conduct An Inventory Of Bus Stops On Hawaii Island Utilized By Children To Travel To School And Develop Strategies To Improve Safety At Each Location.

HI SR62

Requesting The Department Of Education To Conduct A Study On Whether Teachers And School Personnel Should Be Trained In The Use Of, And Be Equipped With, Pepper Spray.

HI SCR72

Requesting The Department Of Education And Department Of Health To Update Vaccination Forms And Recordkeeping For Public School And Charter School Students.

HI SCR117

Urging The Safe Routes To School Advisory Committee To Collaborate With The Department Of Education, Department Of Transportation, And The County Of Hawaii To Conduct An Inventory Of Bus Stops On Hawaii Island Utilized By Children To Travel To School And Develop Strategies To Improve Safety At Each Location.

HI SR162

Urging The Department Of Health To Ensure The Safe Management Of Incinerator Ash From Waste Incinerator Facilities.

Similar Bills

TX SB397

Relating to rules regarding the provision by a health professional of a telemedicine medical service, teledentistry dental service, or telehealth service.

CA AB375

Medical Practice Act: health care providers: qualified autism service paraprofessionals.

NJ S1629

Expressly allows health care professionals located outside New Jersey to provide services using telemedicine and telehealth to patients in New Jersey.

NJ A2009

Expressly allows health care professionals located outside New Jersey to provide services using telemedicine and telehealth to patients in New Jersey.

MD HB1483

Clinical Professional Counseling - Out-of-State Providers - Use of Telehealth for Continuity of Care

MD HB1474

Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Transfers and Conversions

NJ A3039

Permits telemedicine services to be provided using audio-only technology when providing behavioral health care services.

HI SCR43

Urging The Department Of Education, In Consultation With The Department Of Health, To Conduct A Study On The Cost And Benefits Of Hiring Mental Health Professionals For Every Public School And Of Distributing Guidelines On Telehealth Safe Spaces.