THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
140
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH–RELATED ABSENCES ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND WELL-BEING.
WHEREAS, student mental health is a critical component of overall well-being and academic success; and
WHEREAS, many students experience mental and behavioral health challenges that may affect their ability to attend school regularly; and
WHEREAS, untreated or unaddressed mental health needs can contribute to chronic absenteeism, declining academic performance, and reduced student engagement; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education (DOE) currently tracks student attendance pursuant to Board of Education policy 106-3 and the state compulsory attendance law; and
WHEREAS, within the current DOE system chronic absenteeism can trigger intervention efforts; and
WHEREAS, the current DOE system does not disaggregate attendance data to track whether a student's absence is linked to a behavioral or mental health need; and
WHEREAS, most Hawaii public schools have attendance policies that generally recognize physical illness, medical appointments, family bereavement, or authorized school activities as a reason for an excused absence, but do not explicitly categorize absences for mental health reasons as excused; and
WHEREAS, understanding how frequently students miss school due to mental health needs and how such absences affect attendance patterns and academic outcomes could help inform future education policy in the State; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to conduct a study on the impact of mental health–related absences on student attendance and well-being; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study is requested to include:
1. An analysis of how often students in the public school system miss school due to behavioral or mental health concerns;
2. A review of policies in other states that recognize or allow mental health–related absences for students;
3. An evaluation of whether recognizing mental health–related absences as excused absences may improve student attendance, well-being, or academic outcomes; and
4. Any recommendations for administrative, policy, or legislative changes the Department of Education deems appropriate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Department of Education; Mental Health Related Absences