HI SB2224

Requires each Hawaii public school (K-12) to employ at least one mental health professional for every 250 students beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, with schools under 250 students required to have at least one mental health professional.

Public charter schools must meet the same mental health staffing requirements one year earlier, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.

Defines qualifying mental health professionals as licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, school psychologists, and social workers.

Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2027 regular session.

Appropriates unspecified general fund revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish mental health professional positions within the Department of Education, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.