Informing the Legislature that on June 6, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB1442 SD2 HD2 (ACT 178).

SB 1442 updates Hawaii law to clarify the Department of Health's responsibilities for providing mental health services to children and adolescents (ages birth to 17). It requires the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division to deliver preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services as soon as reasonably possible, ensuring eligible youth receive necessary care for their development. The bill adds definitions for "client" (a child receiving services) and "division" (the mental health division), and adjusts the legal title to explicitly focus on children and adolescents. It also mandates coordination with other state agencies like child welfare, education, and the judiciary to address complex youth needs holistically.