HB 2448 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 321 to update terminology and modernize mental health service provisions for children and adolescents served by the Department of Health's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.

• Establishes definitions for "client" (child or adolescent receiving services) and "division" (the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division).

• Renames the "Children's mental health services branch" to "Child and adolescent mental health division" and updates service descriptions from "children and youth" to "children and adolescents" throughout relevant statutes.

• Modifies the statewide mental health services plan requirement to be submitted every five years (instead of four) commencing in 2027, with updated plan components including needs assessment, resource assessment, gap identification, and recommendations.

• Repeals Section 321-176 requiring biennial progress reports and updates public hearing procedures to reference HRS Section 92-41.