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Bill

SB 1398

RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

Hawaii bill mandates trauma-informed care training and policies across state agencies to improve outcomes for trauma survivors and vulnerable populations.

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 560) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
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Bill Summary · SB 1398

Legislative bill overview

SB 1398 establishes requirements for trauma-informed care practices across Hawaii state institutions and programs. The bill mandates training, policy development, and implementation standards for healthcare providers, educators, and social service workers to better recognize and respond to trauma's effects on individuals.

Why is this important

Trauma-informed care improves outcomes for vulnerable populations including abuse survivors, veterans, foster youth, and individuals experiencing mental health crises by addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. Implementation can reduce re-traumatization, improve treatment effectiveness, and reduce costs associated with crisis interventions and institutional care.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Training programs, policy overhauls, and staffing requirements across multiple state agencies will require significant budget allocations during potential fiscal constraints
  • Definitional scope: Unclear which specific state agencies, private contractors, and institutions fall under the mandate, potentially creating compliance ambiguity and disputes
  • Standardization challenges: Different agencies (healthcare, education, corrections) may struggle to adopt uniform trauma-informed standards while maintaining distinct operational protocols and accountability structures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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