STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2856

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3199

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3199, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a two‑year Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to proactively prepare the State to adopt new therapies, currently pending federal approval, for post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and other mental health conditions.

More specifically, the purpose of the task force is to:

(1) Prepare the State for the integration of drugs and treatments designated as breakthrough therapies by the Untied States Food and Drug Administration;

(2) Identify opportunities and requirements to expand pathways for clinical trials, clinical research, and university-based research partnerships;

(3) Develop educational partnerships to ensure that potential beneficiaries of breakthrough therapies are aware of the availability of clinical trials;

(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 the emerging therapies pending federal approval; and

(7) Develop legislative, administrative, and policy recommendations for the safe, ethical, and culturally informed implementation.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Council on Mental Health, Disability and Communication Access Board, Office of Wellness and Resilience, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Aloha Integrative Mental Health, Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, Clarity Project, Hawaii Radiant Health, Reason for Hope, Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General and Hawaii Medical Association.

Your Committee finds that addressing the mental health crisis affecting the residents of the State, particularly veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors, is urgent. Within the State, suicide remains a leading cause of preventable death. Your Committee believes the State must explore all safe and effective treatment options supported by scientific evidence. The task force established by this measure will help inform mental health policymaking, expand clinical research, and make cutting-edge treatments available in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3199, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair