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.

SR34

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

34

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE 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, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor
and Insurance Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

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