HB112 appropriates state general funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free, statewide mental health “warm line.” The bill defines a warm line as a confidential, non-emergency telephone support service for people experiencing psychological distress who are not in immediate danger and do not need crisis intervention. It distinguishes this service from the Hawaiʻi CARES 988 crisis line, which is intended for urgent or emergency mental health situations.
The measure provides $250,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027, or so much as is necessary, to cover equipment, training, and operating costs. The Department of Health would be responsible for expending the funds and implementing the service statewide at no cost to users, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB112 would create a new state-funded mental health support program within the Department of Health and add a recurring general fund appropriation for two fiscal years. It would not amend existing statutes governing crisis services, but it would expand the state’s behavioral health infrastructure by authorizing and funding a separate non-emergency support line alongside existing crisis resources. The bill’s practical effect would be to direct public money toward staffing, training, and operating a statewide peer-support-style telephone service for residents seeking low-acuity mental health assistance.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive and noncontroversial in concept, reflecting a policy interest in filling a gap between crisis intervention and no service at all. The findings emphasize the need for accessible, confidential support, especially in light of the Maui wildfire aftermath and the separate warm line created for that community. No recorded votes or committee testimony were provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the available record.
Contention
The main policy question raised by the bill is whether the state should create and fund a separate warm line in addition to existing crisis services, and whether the proposed appropriation is sufficient to establish a statewide program. Potential points of concern could include the cost to the general fund, how the Department of Health would staff and operate the line, and how the service would be coordinated with 988 and other behavioral health resources. However, the available materials do not show any explicit opposition or competing viewpoints from committee discussion or voting history.