HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2163

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to youth GANGS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that youth violence is a growing concern in Hawaii, particularly violence and juvenile delinquency associated with gang membership.  In addition, homicide, suicide, aggravated assaults, and traffic accidents due to alcohol consumption by underage youth represent large costs for the State.  In 2010, overall youth violence cost the State over $109,000,000, with $28,000,000 in costs resulting from youth property crime alone.  In 2013, the average cost to incarcerate a youth at the Hawaii youth correctional facility was over $199,000.  Unfortunately, three-quarters of all youth leaving the facility were re-adjudicated as delinquents or convicted as adults within three years.

     Consequently, the legislature finds that a multi-pronged approach should be taken with programs that have the expertise and experience to reach out and establish relationships and help promote education, self-esteem, individual growth and development, leadership, and responsibility.  Furthermore, helping to redirect and empower lives from lives of violence and destruction to lives of constructive behavior will help immensely to solidify and secure school and community safety.  Such programs will be able to establish strong relationships and partnerships with schools and community leaders to help coordinate appropriate services required for the youth at risk.  The legislature further finds that this multi-pronged approach should incorporate an in-school centered group counseling program that will help address the deep rooted issues such as aggressive behavior and violence to ensure that youths who are most at risk are being identified and served in their respective communities and schools.  Areas such as Kalihi, Waipahu, Wahiawa, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Waianae are strong target areas to reach out to.

     The purpose of this Act, therefore, is to help reduce youth violence and delinquency in the State by appropriating funds to the department of human services to fund the operational costs of an organization that has the expertise and experience in providing specific therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high risk youth.

     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 2016-2017 to fund operational costs to provide therapeutic prevention and mental health programs including in-school centered group counseling for high risk youth.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Youth; Mental Health; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to fund operational costs to provide therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high risk youth.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.