HI HB1390

Amends Section 453D-8 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow the director of commerce and consumer affairs to enter reciprocity agreements with states or compacts that license mental health counselors with substantially the same or higher requirements as Hawaii.

Enables the director to license residents of compact-participating states who hold current licenses under the Interstate Counseling Compact if they have met or exceeded Hawaii's requirements.

Recognizes that as of 2022, ten states have enacted the Interstate Counseling Compact and Hawaii faces insufficient numbers of qualified mental health professionals.

Becomes effective on July 1, 2023.