SB64 would require every Hawaii Department of Education school and every public charter school serving kindergarten through grade 12 to employ or contract for mental health professionals at a minimum staffing ratio of one professional for every 250 students, with at least one professional required even at smaller schools. The mandate would begin with the 2027-2028 school year and defines eligible professionals broadly to include licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, school psychologists, and social workers.
The bill also requires the Department of Education to report to the Legislature by early 2026 on progress toward meeting the staffing benchmark. In addition, it includes an unspecified general fund appropriation for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to create positions or otherwise satisfy the staffing requirement, and it expressly states that the appropriation would exceed the state general fund expenditure ceiling.
Impact
SB64 would add new statutory requirements to chapters 302A and 302D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by creating a statewide minimum mental health staffing standard for public schools and charter schools. It would also authorize and require state funding for implementation, potentially increasing Department of Education personnel or contract expenditures and affecting budget planning, staffing recruitment, and interagency coordination. The bill would apply to K-12 public education statewide and would create a new reporting obligation to the Legislature.
Sentiment
The available bill materials suggest generally supportive intent focused on expanding student mental health services in schools. The bill’s structure—mandatory staffing ratios, a progress report, and an appropriation—indicates an effort to move beyond a policy statement toward implementation. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or amendment debate in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely fiscal and implementation-related. The bill requires an unspecified appropriation and declares an exception to the general fund expenditure ceiling, which may raise concerns about cost, staffing availability, and whether the Department of Education can recruit enough qualified professionals by the 2027-2028 deadline. Another possible issue is operational feasibility for smaller schools and charter schools, although the bill addresses smaller enrollments by requiring at least one professional per school.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.
Occupations: individual licensing and registration; licensure of professional guardians and conservators; require. Amends sec. 303a of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.303a) & adds art. 14A.