Bill > HB1126

This bill establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform pilot project to be implemented by Hawaii's child and adolescent mental health division, running from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027. The project aims to address declining youth mental health by creating an online platform that provides county-specific resources, mental health education, self-care strategies, and coping mechanisms, with the goal of making mental health support more accessible and reducing stigma. The division will contract for platform development and communication services, including creating ad campaigns across print, radio, digital, and television media, and managing community outreach and social media efforts. The project is motivated by CDC research showing worsening youth mental health indicators, particularly in the wake of events like the COVID-19 pandemic and Maui wildfires, and is designed to provide an innovative, cost-effective approach to mental health prevention and support. The bill includes $500,000 in funding for the first year and $250,000 for the second year, and requires the division to submit reports to the legislature before the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions, with the procurement of services exempted from standard state procurement regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1126&year=2026