Report Title:

Early Childhood

Description:

Provides a means for early childhood screening for psychological and physiological development when a child reaches the age of three.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

401

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that recent neuroscience research demonstrates that a child's early years are the most crucial in the child's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. The legislature affirms that there are tremendous opportunities for preventive work with children and families as well as the predictable, costly consequences of not engaging in early prevention. The legislature further finds that quality early childhood education and child care provided by parents and caregivers in a variety of settings, including child care centers, family child care, and in the homes of families and friends, that support all aspects of early development are crucial to ensuring that every young child has a good beginning and maximizes the potential with which the child was born.

In 1998, the legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 38 that endorsed six desired child outcomes as state policy and encouraged private and public agencies serving children to use these outcomes as a basis for policy and program development. This common set of outcomes focuses on action and accountability toward achieving positive results. This can be achieved by improving the quality of life for children and youth and establishing indicators to measure progress in achieving these outcomes. These six child outcomes are:

(1) Every child will thrive physically--to be healthy from birth with ongoing access to good health care, and have a safe home, school, and community environment;

(2) Every child will form positive relationships--to have the attention of at least one caring adult and supportive friendship with peers;

(3) Every child will be prepared for and succeed in school--to have developmentally nurturing care and early education opportunities, meet age-appropriate knowledge and competencies, and graduate from high school;

(4) Every child will be culturally aware and appreciative of diversity;

(5) Every child and youth will choose responsible behaviors--to exhibit respect for oneself, others of every age, and society by refraining from drug use and from sexual and illegal activity; and

(6) Every youth will develop marketable skills enabling a successful transition into adulthood.

The legislature finds that as public and private agencies address the third outcome, many facets of the early childhood system are affected. These fall into the overlapping areas of health, education, and social services that support the family and the child.

The legislature further finds that, for every $1 invested in early childhood education and care and early intervention services for children from birth to five years of age, it is estimated that $7 in later remediation and special education services may be saved.

The legislature further finds that early screening, identification, and intervention for developmental delays and psychosocial problems improve children's outcomes and have a critical influence on school success and family functioning. The state departments of health, education, and human services currently provide community health services and education for screening and assessment. However, parents are unaware of or choose not to participate in these services. Meanwhile, their children do not receive proper screening, evaluation, and if indicated, referrals and treatment.

The purpose of this Act is to provide a means for early childhood screening when a child reaches the age of three.

SECTION 2. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321- Early childhood screenings. (a) Within ninety days prior to and ninety days following a child's third birthday, the parents or guardians of a child may have the child screened for psychological and physiological development. Screening and certification of screening may be provided by:

(1) The department of health;

(2) The department of education;

(3) The department of human services;

(4) The child's pediatrician; or

(5) Any primary health care provider.

(b) As part of the screening and certification process authorized by subsection (a), the department, physician, or provider may:

(1) Provide information and referrals to programs and services to help remediate any developmental problems as revealed by the screening;

(2) Inform the parent and guardian of their responsibilities to ensure that the child's psychological and physiological development is progressing satisfactorily;

(3) Provide assistance and advice to parents and guardians in meeting those responsibilities;

(4) Provide additional screenings or referrals as deemed necessary; and

(5) Use a standardized screening instrument and referral protocol as jointly developed by the departments of health, education, and human services, and the American Academy of Pediatrics."

SECTION 3. (a) The departments of health, education, and human services, in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics, shall plan and develop:

(1) Standardized screening for the psychological and physiological development of a three-year-old child, which includes but is not limited to:

(A) Cognitive development;

(B) Language development;

(C) Motor development; and

(D) Behavioral or social-emotional development;

and

(2) A referral protocol.

(b) The standardized screening and referral protocol shall be developed by June 30, 2004.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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