Informing the Legislature that on June 27, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1830 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 093).

This bill establishes a provisional licensure program that allows marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and psychologists in training to provide services and receive health insurance reimbursement while completing their final supervised experience requirements. By enabling these associate-level practitioners to be paid for their work, the legislation aims to address Hawaii's shortage of mental health professionals and reduce long wait times for patients, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the bill permits psychologist applicants to take their licensing exams before finishing all post-doctoral supervised hours and allows insurance reimbursement for services provided by supervised social work interns in specific situations.