HB 1854HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii certifies behavioral health clinics and funds oversight

The Department of Health certifies behavioral health clinics, checks their standards, and receives up to $300,000 for the program in fiscal year 2026–2027.

What it does

The Department of Health has an office that certifies community behavioral health clinics, checks their compliance, and helps clinics seeking certification.

A nine-member board advises on clinic applications and standards, helps coordinate services, and supports outreach to people and families who may need care.

Clinics seeking payment through the fixed-rate system must be certified. The state may take corrective steps or decertify clinics that fail to meet requirements.

The state sets aside up to $300,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027 to carry out the law, including hiring an executive director for the clinic certifying office.

Argument forClinics and patients could benefit from clear quality standards, help meeting them, and outreach that connects people to crisis and other services.

Argument againstClinics may face added costs from application fees and extra work to meet certification standards before receiving fixed-rate payments.

More detail

The Department of Health has a clinic certifying office that runs the certification program and offers clinics technical help. The office oversees certification for community behavioral health clinics and may set reasonable application fees. The office’s certification criteria must be at least as strict as federal criteria. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

A nine-member board advises the office and supports coordination and public outreach. The governor appoints members, including representatives from each county with lived experience of mental health or substance use conditions, health care providers, and a child health physician. At least half of the board members must live in a county with fewer than 500,000 residents. Members serve without pay but receive necessary meeting expenses. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

Clinics must be certified by the office to operate with the expectation of fixed-rate payments under the state program. This applies to any public or private clinic seeking payment for services through the prospective payment system. A state community mental health center may provide services needed to meet certification criteria. The office may require corrective steps, impose conditions, suspend, or decertify a clinic. Rules must provide notice and a chance to respond; a clinic also has an opportunity for a hearing after a final decertification decision. Certification does not guarantee ongoing compliance or care outcomes, and clinics remain responsible for their services and legal compliance. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

The state sets aside up to $300,000 for the Department of Health to carry out the law. The Department of Health spends the funds for the law’s purposes. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026–2027 and includes hiring an executive director for the certifying office. The funding applies to fiscal year 2026–2027.

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed HouseMar 5
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 145, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1246).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 145, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1246).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 157-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 157-26).
13. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:20PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.
17. Apr 23Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810).Minor
18. Apr 23Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).Minor
19. Apr 22House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 22Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Fevella.
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 629) in amended form (SD 2).
25. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3673) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
26. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 1The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-06-26 10:32AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
29. Mar 25Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3180) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
30. Mar 25Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
31. Mar 18The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
32. Mar 16Re-Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
33. Mar 13The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-26 1:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 10Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC.Minor
35. Mar 6Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 56).Minor
36. Mar 6Passed First Reading.Minor
37. Mar 5Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 850-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 5Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
39. Feb 27The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 24Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-27-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
41. Feb 18Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 350-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
42. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
43. Feb 11The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
44. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
45. Jan 26Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
46. Jan 26Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 2Minor
47. Jan 23Pending introduction.Introduced

HealthcareMental Health

Issue with this bill?

HB 1854HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii certifies behavioral health clinics and funds oversight

The Department of Health certifies behavioral health clinics, checks their standards, and receives up to $300,000 for the program in fiscal year 2026–2027.

What it does

The Department of Health has an office that certifies community behavioral health clinics, checks their compliance, and helps clinics seeking certification.

A nine-member board advises on clinic applications and standards, helps coordinate services, and supports outreach to people and families who may need care.

Clinics seeking payment through the fixed-rate system must be certified. The state may take corrective steps or decertify clinics that fail to meet requirements.

The state sets aside up to $300,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027 to carry out the law, including hiring an executive director for the clinic certifying office.

Argument forClinics and patients could benefit from clear quality standards, help meeting them, and outreach that connects people to crisis and other services.

Argument againstClinics may face added costs from application fees and extra work to meet certification standards before receiving fixed-rate payments.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 23
Passed HouseMar 5
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 145, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1246).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 145, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1246).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. May 1The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 157-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
12. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 157-26).
13. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 30Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:20PM in conference room 329.
15. Apr 28Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.
16. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 3:15PM in conference room 329.
17. Apr 23Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810).Minor
18. Apr 23Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).Minor
19. Apr 22House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.
20. Apr 22Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Fevella.
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 629) in amended form (SD 2).
25. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3673) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
26. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 1The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-06-26 10:32AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
29. Mar 25Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3180) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
30. Mar 25Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
31. Mar 18The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
32. Mar 16Re-Referred to HHS, WAM.Minor
33. Mar 13The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-26 1:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 10Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC.Minor
35. Mar 6Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 56).Minor
36. Mar 6Passed First Reading.Minor
37. Mar 5Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 850-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 5Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
39. Feb 27The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 24Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-27-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
41. Feb 18Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 350-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
42. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
43. Feb 11The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
44. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
45. Jan 26Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
46. Jan 26Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 2Minor
47. Jan 23Pending introduction.Introduced

HealthcareMental Health

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History