Report Title:

Playground Equipment; Appropriation; DOE

Description:

Appropriates $800,000 to the DOE so that all elementary schools in the State will finally have playground equipment that meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the guidelines of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

992

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for playground equipment.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature has appropriated ample funds in the past to provide Hawaii's public schools with sufficient playground equipment that meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the guidelines of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislature finds, however, that the department of education has taken an unduly long time to provide Hawaii's schools with sufficient playground equipment, with no apparent justification. Indeed, it appears that some schools will have gone six years without adequate playgrounds. The level of obesity among Hawaii's school children is rising at an alarming rate. The legislature recognizes that the lack of adequate playgrounds denies thousands of Hawaii's children meaningful playground experiences and is a major contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. The legislature is committed to ensuring Hawaii's school children have adequate playground areas and proper equipment. According to its latest assessment, the department of education needs an additional $800,000 to finally achieve this goal.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate $800,000 to the department of education for the 2003-2004 fiscal year to ensure the department can immediately provide all elementary schools in the State with playground equipment that meets all applicable standards.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $800,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, for elementary school playground equipment.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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