THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2001
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health education.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to a 2021 United States Surgeon General's Advisory on protecting youth mental health, the growing use of digital social media; increased academic pressure; limited access to mental health care; health risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use; and broader stressors such as finances, income inequality, and racism; all contribute to the upward trend in mental health challenges facing young people. Additionally, a 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis states that nearly forty per cent of high school students reported experiencing poor mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and forty-four per cent reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the prior year. Therefore, providing behavioral health education in the State's public schools can assist students to better understand their feelings about and responses to various situations, and where to get help.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to include the teaching of behavioral health curricula, including mental health wellness, for students in grades kindergarten through twelve.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Behavioral health; curricula plan; public schools. (a) The department shall develop and implement a statewide behavioral health curricula plan for public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

(b) The curriculum shall include but not be limited to age-appropriate information on:

(1) Mental and emotional health;

(2) Personal health and wellness;

(3) Healthy eating and physical activity;

(4) Safety, including unintentional injury and prevention;

(5) Violence prevention;

(6) Tobacco use and prevention;

(7) Alcohol and other drug use prevention; and

(8) Sexual health and responsibility.

The department shall review and determine into which courses behavioral health curricula shall be integrated.

(c) Only a qualified health teacher shall teach behavioral health courses."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOE; Behavioral Health; Mental Health Wellness; Curricula; K-12 Coursework

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to include the teaching of behavioral health, including mental health wellness, in grades kindergarten through twelve.

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