URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

SR132

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

132

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE
IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH�RELATED ABSENCES ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND WELL-BEING
.

����
WHEREAS,
student mental health is a critical component of overall well-being and
academic success; and

����
WHEREAS, many
students experience mental and behavioral health challenges that may affect
their ability to attend school regularly; and

����
WHEREAS,
untreated or unaddressed mental health needs can contribute to chronic
absenteeism, declining academic performance, and reduced student engagement;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
Department of Education (DOE) currently tracks student attendance pursuant to
Board of Education policy 106-3 and the state compulsory attendance law; and

����
WHEREAS,
within the current DOE system chronic absenteeism can trigger intervention
efforts; and

����
WHEREAS, the
current DOE system does not disaggregate attendance data to track whether a
student's absence is linked to a behavioral or mental health need; and

����
WHEREAS, most
Hawaii public schools have attendance policies that generally recognize
physical illness, medical appointments, family bereavement, or authorized
school activities as a reason for an excused absence, but do not explicitly
categorize absences for mental health reasons as excused; and

����
WHEREAS,
understanding how frequently students miss school due to mental health needs
and how such absences affect attendance patterns and academic outcomes could
help inform future education policy in the State; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is requested to
conduct a study on the impact of mental health�related absences on student
attendance and well-being; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the study is requested to include:

1.

An
analysis of how often students in the public school system miss school due to
behavioral or mental health concerns;

2.

A review
of policies in other states that recognize or allow mental health�related
absences for students;

3.

An
evaluation of whether recognizing mental health�related absences as excused
absences may improve student attendance, well-being, or academic outcomes; and

4.

Any
recommendations for administrative, policy, or legislative changes the
Department of Education deems appropriate; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of
its 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 Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Education; Mental Health Related Absences