S.C.R. NO. 44 Summary

• Department of Education is urged to ensure each public school and public charter school (K-12) employs or contracts at least one mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled.

• Schools with fewer than 250 students are urged to employ or retain at least one mental health professional.

• "Mental health professional" includes licensed mental health counselors, licensed psychologists, school psychologists, social workers, and exempt social workers as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Department of Education is requested to cooperate with other state agencies to ensure adequate staffing levels of mental health professionals in public schools and charter schools.

• Department of Education must submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2025 Regular Session detailing progress toward meeting the staffing benchmark.