HI SR132

Requests the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences impact student attendance and well-being in Hawaii public schools

Currently, Hawaii DOE does not track whether absences are linked to behavioral or mental health needs, and most schools do not explicitly recognize mental health as an excused absence reason

Study must include analysis of how often students miss school for mental health reasons, review of other states' policies on mental health absences, and evaluation of whether excusing such absences improves outcomes

Department must provide recommendations for administrative, policy, or legislative changes based on findings

Report with findings and proposed legislation due to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session