SCR 35: 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.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

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.

     WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder (autism) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that can affect individuals in varying ways across their lifespan; and

     WHEREAS, existing law limits health insurance coverage for applied behavioral analysis and other therapies for the diagnosis and treatment of autism to individuals under fourteen years of age; and

     WHEREAS, this age limitation denies necessary care to many adolescents and adults who would continue to benefit from therapeutic support for autism; and

     WHEREAS, the current annual cap of $25,000 on health insurance coverage for applied behavioral analysis creates an additional barrier to accessing adequate and continuous treatment for autism, as this amount is often insufficient to cover the full cost of applied behavioral analysis services for many individuals; and

     WHEREAS, removing these limitations will ensure equitable access to medically necessary treatment and improve long-term health outcomes for individuals with autism in the State; and

     WHEREAS, S.B. No. 2204, Regular Session of 2026, proposes to repeal the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism and the maximum benefit coverage limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies can be considered a concurrent resolution shall be passed requesting the Auditor to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, both the social and financial effects of the proposed expansion of mandated health insurance coverage under S.B. No. 2204, Regular Session of 2026, which repeals the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism and the maximum benefit coverage benefit limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of the Auditor's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health Insurance; Autism; Age Limit; Maximum Coverage Benefit; Repeal