THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

978

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to YOUTH.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that youth suicide is a serious public health problem and is the third leading cause of death in the United States for people between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four.  Feelings of stress, confusion, self doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, or other fears may cause some teenagers to feel that suicide is a solution to their problems and stresses.  The rate at which Hawaii teens and young adults are taking their own lives has more than doubled over the past five years.  Compared nationally, Hawaii's suicide rate is significantly higher among fifteen- to nineteen-year-olds, but drops below the national average for ages twenty to twenty-four.

     The legislature further finds that according to data from forty-two reporting states in the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Hawaii high school students had the seventh highest self-reported prevalence of considering suicide, the seventh highest for making a plan to commit suicide, the seventh highest for attempting suicide, and the fifteenth highest for being treated for a self-inflicted injury.  These statistics mean that suicide is killing more teenagers than anything except for serious illness.

     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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for anti-bullying and suicide prevention efforts in Hawaii's public schools.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Youth Suicide Prevention; Anti-bullying; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to support anti-bullying and suicide prevention efforts in Hawaii's public schools.

 

 

 

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