URGING THE CONVENING OF A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGING THERAPIES TASK FORCE TO PREPARE THE STATE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF BREAKTHROUGH THERAPIES AND TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND CLINICAL TRIALS, RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS, AND TREATMENT CAPACITY IN THE STATE.

SR162

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

162

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the convening of a mental health emerging
therapies task force to prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough
therapies and to explore opportunities to expand clinical trials, research
partnerships, and treatment capacity in the state
.

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii
continues to face a significant mental health crisis affecting residents across
the State, including veterans, first responders, trauma survivors, and
individuals experiencing treatment-resistant mental health conditions; and

����
WHEREAS, suicide
remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Hawaii and across the
United States, underscoring the need to explore safe and effective treatment
options supported by scientific evidence; and

����
WHEREAS, the
United States Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy
designation to several emerging treatments, including
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for post-traumatic
stress disorder and psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant
depression, recognizing their potential to provide significant improvement over
existing interventions; and

����
WHEREAS, as
federal rescheduling and regulatory approval of these therapies are
anticipated, states must proactively prepare public health systems, clinical
providers, and research institutions for their safe and responsible
implementation; and

����
WHEREAS, several
states, including New Mexico, Texas, Oregon, and Connecticut, have begun
establishing frameworks to support clinical research, pilot programs, and
responsible access pathways for emerging therapies; and

����
WHEREAS, without
similar planning and coordination, Hawaii risks falling behind in preparing its
health care systems, research institutions, and workforce to responsibly
implement these therapies when federally authorized; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Thompson School of Social Work and Public
Health is urged to convene a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to
prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough therapies and to explore
opportunities to expand clinical trials, research partnerships, and treatment
capacity in the State; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is urged to include representatives of the
Department of Health; University of Hawaii; and mental health professionals,
legal and regulatory experts, Native Hawaiian health organizations, and
individuals with lived experience, including veterans, first responders, and
caregivers to be invited by the chairpersons of the Task Force; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a member representing the Thompson School of Social Work and
Public Health with demonstrated history and expertise in breakthrough and
emerging therapies is requested to serve as the chairperson of the Task Force;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is urged to:

����
(1)
�
Prepare the State for federal rescheduling and
medical approval of 3,4‑methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin,
and other drugs or treatments designated as breakthrough therapies by the
United States Food and Drug Administration;

����
(2)
�
Identify opportunities and requirements for
expanding local clinical trials, investigator-initiated research, and
university-based research partnerships;

����
(3)
�
Develop educational partnerships to help
expand awareness of clinical research opportunities for potential beneficiaries
of breakthrough therapies;

����
(4)
�
Recommend training, certification, and
workforce development pathways for licensed professionals who may administer or
support emerging therapies;

����
(5)
�
Evaluate best practices from other
jurisdictions regarding patient safety, culturally-informed care, equity,
access, and harm reduction;

����
(6)
�
Develop a statewide implementation roadmap for
integrating emerging therapies pending federal approval; and

����
(7)
�
Make legislative, administrative, and other
recommendations to support long-term adoption of mental health emerging
therapies in the State.

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to submit a report summarizing its findings
and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2027
and 2028; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Director of Health, President of the University of Hawaii, and Dean
of the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Mental
Health; Emerging Therapies; Task Force; Reports