STAND. COM. REP. NO. 782

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1042

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1042, 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 and appropriate moneys for a Mental Health Emerging Therapies Special Fund to be administered by the Department of Health.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Clarity Project; Aloha Integrative Mental Health; Centered Hawaii, LLC; Michal Cohen, LCSW; Reason for Hope; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, and Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the special fund established and research supported by this measure will help facilitate patient access to innovative mental health treatments.

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. 1042, 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