Hawaii Senate Bill SCR153

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii State Department Of Education To Ensure Good Faith Implementation Of Its Doctoral Educational Psychology Stipend Agreements And To Establish And Fund Appropriate Educational Psychologist Positions Consistent With Contractual Commitments.

Summary

SCR153 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) to implement, in good faith, its doctoral educational psychology stipend agreements and to create and fund appropriate Educational Psychologist positions that match the commitments made to stipend recipients. The resolution describes a stipend program developed with Chaminade University to help address the shortage of school-based mental health professionals, especially for students with intensive mental health needs. It notes that recipients agreed to complete doctoral coursework, obtain relevant licensure, and serve the DOE for three years in an Educational Psychologist or similar agreed-upon role. The resolution expresses concern that the DOE has created a “Mental Health Interventionist” position that may not fully align with the doctoral-level training and licensure contemplated by the stipend program, and that such positions may not be widely available across the system. It asks the DOE to report on the number of stipend recipients, existing Educational Psychologist positions, the number and distribution of Mental Health Interventionist positions, how the two classifications compare, and the department’s plan for appropriate placement. It also asks the DOE to identify the funding and position authority needed to expand Educational Psychologist positions statewide.

Impact

SCR153 does not directly amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes, create a new program, or impose a binding legal mandate; instead, it is a legislative request for reporting, evaluation, and administrative action by the DOE. Its practical impact would be to increase legislative oversight of the doctoral educational psychology stipend program and to pressure the department to align staffing classifications and position authority with the terms of its contractual commitments. The resolution could affect DOE workforce planning, budgeting, and the classification of school mental health positions, particularly Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Interventionist roles.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of the stipend program and of the professionals who entered into it, with a clear emphasis on fairness, workforce stability, and student mental health needs. The resolution frames the issue as one of good-faith implementation and accountability rather than conflict, suggesting concern that the department may not be fully honoring the spirit or terms of its agreements. No committee transcripts or vote records were provided, so there is no additional recorded debate or formal vote sentiment to assess.

Contention

The main point of contention is whether the DOE’s use of the Mental Health Interventionist classification satisfies the contractual and professional expectations of the doctoral educational psychology stipend program. Supporters of the resolution appear to believe that the current classification may understate or misalign with doctoral-level preparation and licensure, while the department may view it as an available staffing solution. A related issue is whether the department has provided enough full-time Educational Psychologist positions statewide to meet both student service needs and the service obligations promised to stipend recipients.