STAND. COM. REP. NO. 854-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1537

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1537, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations to provide preventive and early intervention mental health services to adolescents within the community; and

(2) Require the Department of Health to report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; State Council on Mental Health; Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hina Mauka; and seven individuals.

Your Committee requests consideration that the mental health services to be provided through this measure are delivered with attention to equity and inclusivity in the communities served.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1537, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair