RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

HB1126

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1126

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

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

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SECTION 1.
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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 have worsened between 2013 and 2023.
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Disasters like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic and the Maui wildfires in August 2023 have increased rates of
depression and anxiety in our youth.

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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 our communities,
potentially reducing the need for more intensive services in the future.

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

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(1)
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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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the
child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops
and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources
designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The
child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall
implement and administer a digital youth mental health platform pilot project.
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The pilot project shall commence on July 1,
2025, and end on June 30, 2027.

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

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

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(A)
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County
specific resources;

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(B)
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Mental
health education;

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(C)
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Self-care
strategies;

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(D)
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Healthy
coping strategies; and

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(E)
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Data
regarding mental health needs in the State
.

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

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(A)
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Development
of a communications and marketing plan;

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

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

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(D)
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Social
media campaign and management.

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

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(d)
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No later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular
sessions
of 2026 and 2027, the child and adolescent
mental health division shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings
and recommendations regarding the
digital youth mental health platform
pilot project
.

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026, and the sum of $250,000 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.

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

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

Report Title:

DOH; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Child
and Adolescent Mental Health; Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project

Description:

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health
platform
�
pilot project under which the
child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops
and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources
designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

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