Bill > SB1042

This bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Emerging Therapies Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience to address the mental health crisis, particularly among veterans experiencing high rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program aims to support clinical research and development of innovative mental health treatments, including psychedelic therapies like MDMA-assisted therapy and psilocybin therapy, which have received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA. The pilot program can establish partnerships with public and private stakeholders, fund clinical trials, support education and training for mental health professionals, provide public education, conduct implementation studies, and develop recommendations for expanding patient access to emerging therapies. The office may contract with a third party to administer funding and will be required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's activities, findings, and recommendations. The program defines "emerging therapies" as psychedelic or entactogenic compounds undergoing FDA clinical trials, approved for interstate commerce, or approved for medical use under state law. The program is set to run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, with funding to be appropriated from the state's general revenues, and will focus on developing innovative, evidence-based mental health interventions that could potentially reduce veteran suicide rates and improve mental health outcomes.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1042&year=2026