SB 2679: Keiki Caucus; DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project; Report; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to a ten‑year study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly all indicators of children and adolescent mental health worsened between 2013 and 2023.  Disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Maui wildfires in August 2023 have increased rates of depression and anxiety in the State's youth.

     The legislature further finds that prevention activities related to the promotion of mental health, such as early intervention, mental health education, and coping strategies, are critical to preventing the escalation of mental health disorders in the State's communities, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.

     Digital platforms that can be accessed with mobile devices can provide a powerful public health service, especially for youth, by:

     (1)  Expanding the reach of mental health education and prevention by making it more convenient and inclusive, especially for children and adolescents in remote or underserved areas where in-person programs may be limited;

     (2)  Reducing stigma by making it easier for youth to explore resources without fear of judgment;

     (3)  Enhancing engagement and interactivity by allowing youth to guide their own learning;

     (4)  Tailoring content to the needs of the user;

     (5)  Providing a cost-effective way to reach a large audience;

     (6)  Addressing lower-level needs so the behavioral health workforce, which is scarce, can focus on youth with the highest level of need;

     (7)  Providing information that is continuously updated to reflect the latest research and resources; and

     (8)  Collecting critical data about community mental health needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a digital youth mental health platform pilot project that will enable the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall implement and administer a digital youth mental health platform pilot project.  The pilot project shall commence on July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027.

     (b)  Under the pilot project, the child and adolescent mental health division shall contract for the following services:

     (1)  Development, management, and hosting services for the digital youth mental health platform.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall oversee the development of the platform that is evidence-based, peer-reviewed, confidential, and responsive.  The platform shall provide:

          (A)  County specific resources;

          (B)  Mental health education;

          (C)  Self-care strategies;

          (D)  Healthy coping strategies; and

          (E)  Data regarding mental health needs in the State; and

     (2)  Communication and marketing services.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall manage the communications and marketing services, which include:

          (A)  Development of a communications and marketing plan;

          (B)  Creation of ad campaign materials inclusive of print, radio, digital, and television ads and the respective media buys;

          (C)  Planning and management of community and outreach events; and

          (D)  Social media campaign and management.

     (c)  Procurement for development, management, and hosting services and communication and marketing services for the purposes of this Act shall be exempt from chapters 103D and 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the duration of the pilot program, not to exceed June 30, 2027.

     (d)  The child and adolescent mental health division shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding the digital youth mental health platform pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the implementation and administration of the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to youth mental health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to a ten‑year study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly all indicators of children and adolescent mental health worsened between 2013 and 2023.  Disasters like the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and the Maui wildfires in August 2023 have increased rates of depression and anxiety in the State's youth.

     The legislature further finds that prevention activities related to the promotion of mental health, such as early intervention, mental health education, and coping strategies, are critical to preventing the escalation of mental health disorders in the State's communities, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.

     Digital platforms that can be accessed with mobile devices can provide a powerful public health service, especially for youth, by:

     (1)  Expanding the reach of mental health education and prevention by making it more convenient and inclusive, especially for children and adolescents in remote or underserved areas where in-person programs may be limited;

     (2)  Reducing stigma by making it easier for youth to explore resources without fear of judgment;

     (3)  Enhancing engagement and interactivity by allowing youth to guide their own learning;

     (4)  Tailoring content to the needs of the user;

     (5)  Providing a cost-effective way to reach a large audience;

     (6)  Addressing lower-level needs so the behavioral health workforce, which is scarce, can focus on youth with the highest level of need;

     (7)  Providing information that is continuously updated to reflect the latest research and resources; and

     (8)  Collecting critical data about community mental health needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a digital youth mental health platform pilot project that will enable the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall implement and administer a digital youth mental health platform pilot project.  The pilot project shall commence on July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027.

     (b)  Under the pilot project, the child and adolescent mental health division shall contract for the following services:

     (1)  Development, management, and hosting services for the digital youth mental health platform.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall oversee the development of the platform that is evidence-based, peer-reviewed, confidential, and responsive.  The platform shall provide:

          (A)  County specific resources;

          (B)  Mental health education;

          (C)  Self-care strategies;

          (D)  Healthy coping strategies; and

          (E)  Data regarding mental health needs in the State; and

     (2)  Communication and marketing services.  The child and adolescent mental health division shall manage the communications and marketing services, which include:

          (A)  Development of a communications and marketing plan;

          (B)  Creation of ad campaign materials inclusive of print, radio, digital, and television ads and the respective media buys;

          (C)  Planning and management of community and outreach events; and

          (D)  Social media campaign and management.

     (c)  Procurement for development, management, and hosting services and communication and marketing services for the purposes of this Act shall be exempt from chapters 103D and 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (d)  The child and adolescent mental health division shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding the digital youth mental health platform pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the implementation and administration of the digital youth mental health platform pilot project.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2303

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2679

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2679 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Department of Health; Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Hina Mauka; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Medical Association; and twenty-one individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition.

     Your Committee finds that providing easy access to trusted information and resources empowers youth, reduces stigma, and may prevent mental health challenges from worsening in the future.  Your Committee further finds that creating an evidence-based, confidential digital platform makes it easier for young people, especially those in remote or underserved areas, to access mental health education, self-care tools, and healthy coping strategies.  This measure helps reduce stigma by allowing youth to explore mental health resources privately, eases pressure on a limited behavioral health workforce by helping to address concerns earlier, and gathers useful data about community mental health needs to guide future improvements.

     Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony by the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQIA+) Commission that the Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project should take into consideration the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community as a core component of the pilot project.  Your Committee therefore requests the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to ensure the inclusion of the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in the platform design, content development, user interface, data collection, and evaluation metrics of the Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the pilot project's procurement exemptions from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Hawaii Public Procurement Code, and from chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, state law governing purchases of health and human services, shall be limited to the duration of the pilot project, not to exceed June 30, 2027;

     (2)  Changing the appropriation amount from $300,000 to an unspecified amount, to encourage further discussion on the measure; and

     (3)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2679, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2679, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,