Sen. Stanley Chang

Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of full‑time equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education.

Establishes the Marine Trade Training Apprenticeship Program within the University of Hawaii system of community colleges. Establishes the Marine Trade Training Program Tax Credit.

Maddy summarySB 2207 requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create a Statewide Blue Carbon Strategy focused on coastal ecosystems (like mangroves and seagrasses) that store carbon. The bill mandates this office to develop the strategy and submit a report to the Legislature detailing its findings and recommendations. This bill directly affects state agencies responsible for environmental planning and coastal resource management by establishing a formal process for addressing blue carbon in policy. It does not create new regulations but sets a procedural framework for future state action on coastal carbon storage.

Beginning 1/1/2027, repeals the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Repeals the maximum coverage benefit limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services.

Creates exemptions from interconnection requirements for portable solar generation devices. Establishes basic safety requirements for portable solar generation devices. Provides liability protections for electric utilities.

Establishes the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in various state agencies for a period of 10 to 11 months. Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible applicants to apply to the program. Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have a pre-existing connection to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to coordinate with state agencies to implement and promote the program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Requires the Department of Education to identify as an excused absence any absence due to the student's mental or behavioral health. Limits the number of excused absences due to mental or behavioral health that a student may take per academic year. Exempts an absence due to the student's mental or behavioral health from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory school attendance.

Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from filing a civil lawsuit to collect medical debt from a patient whose household income is less than or equal to five hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from engaging in certain debt collection practices. Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from selling medical debt. Prohibits a health care provider whose income exceeds a certain threshold from denying non-emergency medically necessary care to patients.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations to provide preventive and early intervention mental health services to adolescents within the community. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for full-arch dental implants that are medically necessary.