Report Title:

Healthy Start Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes appropriation for Healthy Start program for high-risk families.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

229

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an Appropriation for Healthy Start.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the prevention of child abuse and neglect of young children during their formative years is imperative as research on early brain development indicates that "by age three, a child who has been seriously abused or neglected bears scars that are difficult, if not impossible, to erase."

The legislature further finds that the Healthy Start program has been an integral factor in mitigating the number of child abuse cases in the State by providing intensive support to at-risk families from the onset. In fact, the rate of children hospitalized for abuse and neglect on Oahu is four times higher per thousand, among families who do not receive support from Healthy Start. However, the legislature also finds that funding for Healthy Start has been reduced by thirty per cent, and a "sister program," Mother Infant Support Team, was eliminated entirely.

The legislature recognizes the importance of funding programs that provide necessary services to children and their families. Although hospital-based risk screening is proposed to be increased to reach all families of newborns, as part of the Felix consent decree, there is no provision for funds for services for families identified as at-risk through this process.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for services for families identified as "at risk".

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the Healthy Start program for services for families identified as "at-risk" with a focus on Oahu families.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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