Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2089: Relating to Mental Health.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the D epartment of H uman S ervices to adopt rules to allow medical assistance reimbursement payments for services provided to recipients eligible for M edicaid benefits under a ny plan under M edicaid managed care program s in the State by unlicensed mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional . Requires the D epartment of H uman S ervices to seek necessary waivers and any additional approvals from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to mental health.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State faces a severe shortage of licensed mental health professionals, resulting in long waitlists for mental health services and significant barriers to care for medicaid beneficiaries. The legislature further finds that allowing unlicensed, pre-licensed, or trainee mental health professionals to provide services under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional, and ensuring these services are eligible for medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, will expand the State's mental health workforce and improve timely access to care. The legislature finds that enabling supervised pre-licensed mental health professionals to serve medicaid recipients will increase the number of qualified providers available to low-income individuals and families, help reduce waitlists, and fill critical gaps in the behavioral health care system. The legislature also finds that medicaid reimbursement will provide 2026-0748 SB2089 SD1 SMA.docx iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Page 2 S.B. NO. 2089 S.D. needed income stability for pre-licensed mental health professionals, who often cannot bill insurance while completing required clinical hours, and lead to a stronger mental health care workforce pipeline in the State. The legislature further finds that expanding medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement to services provided by supervised pre-licensed mental health professionals promotes mental health equity by ensuring financial status does not impede access to necessary services. Additionally, …
Sponsors
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Lynn DeCoite (D, 7)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
- Michelle Kidani (D, 18)
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
- Sharon Moriwaki (D, 12)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
Latest actions
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 5:05PM in conference room 329.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 1:45PM in conference room 329.
- : Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 1:45PM in conference room 329.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 723).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; McKelvey.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Marten, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Olds, Alcos.
- : Re-referred to HSH, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30
- : Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
- : Senate disagrees with House amendments.
Votes
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 14, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- CPC: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 9, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Matsumoto, Perruso excused (2) (March 25, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HSH: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 19, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (March 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 4, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Medicaid, Rules, Insurance, DHS, Mental Health
Common questions
- What is SB2089?
- SB2089 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Mental Health.
- What does SB2089 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to mental health.
- What is the status of SB2089?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 5:05PM in conference room 329. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2089?
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2089?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2089&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.