THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2063

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to after-school programs.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that approximately seventy-four per cent of all children in Hawaii are raised by working families.  The Afterschool Alliance reports that thirty-eight per cent of all Hawaii children who are not enrolled in an after-school program would be likely to participate in a program if one were available in their community.

     Approximately 1,355 children in Hawaii are homeless and can benefit from a safe, structured out-of-school environment.  Out-of-school programs can be aligned with the school day to complement, but not duplicate, learning and can expose students to arts, culture, literacy, fitness, math, science, character development, and community service.  The purpose of out-of-school programs is to provide quality care and a quality learning experience while preventing Hawaii's youth from engaging in risky behaviors that may lead to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use or teen pregnancy and often result in youth dropping out of school or not being prepared to enter the workforce.  Many out-of-school programs offered by community organizations are expensive and often inaccessible due to the high demand for services driven by a lack of out-of-school programming throughout the State.  The State has a responsibility to provide its youth with a variety of educational out-of-school activities that build character and self-esteem.  Hawaii has been recognized by Afterschool Alliance as one of the top ten states for providing out-of-school programs.  More than a decade of research confirms that quality after-school programs inspire and motivate children to learn, support children's social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement.  A study of outcomes associated with participation in after­school programs found that students who regularly participate during their elementary school years showed a variety of gains, including:  narrowing the math achievement gap between high-income and low-income students at fifth grade; improving work habits and self-sufficiency; and reducing the number of school absences.  Furthermore, seventy-two per cent of parents surveyed in Hawaii agree that after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs.

     However, after school each day, seventeen per cent or approximately 36,474 of Hawaii's youth in grades K-12 are responsible for taking care of themselves.  Additionally, students residing in impoverished rural areas are at greatest risk in the out-of-school time hours for making poor choices and engaging in risky behaviors.  Transportation is either inaccessible or costly, discouraging children from participating in extracurricular activities.  Poor rural households‑the very families that need supplemental enrichment for their children‑are three times more likely than non-poor rural households to be without a vehicle.  Families that do have a vehicle are even more affected than non-rural residents by rises in gasoline prices because they must travel longer distances and rely on local vendors that charge more for gasoline.

     States have supported policies that expand learning opportunities to advance a range of state education and youth goals.  These opportunities, known as expanded learning opportunities, offer structured learning environments outside the traditional school day hours through before- and after-school programs.  These opportunities also provide a range of enrichment and learning activities in various subjects, including arts; civic engagement; language; and science, technology, engineering, and math.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish the Hawaii after-school program for youth;

     (2)  Create the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund; provided that the department may seek matching funding from the private sector;

     (3)  Provide a single funding source to fund after­school programs including but not limited to the Hawaii after-school program for youth, such as the following:  After-school plus program; athletics; workplace learning; middle school programming; Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health for Hawaii; United Peers Learning, Integrating New Knowledge; and 21st Century Community Learning Centers; and

     (4)  Make an appropriation for the Hawaii after-school program for youth.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Hawaii after-school program for youth.  (a)  There is established within the community engagement branch of the department the Hawaii after-school program for youth for grades six through eight, to be conducted during out-of-school time.  All public schools, including charter schools, may participate in and be eligible for funding through the program.  The department may contract with private entities to furnish the program; provided that this section shall not be interpreted to impose any liability upon the State, its employees, or its agents.

     (b)  The program shall be funded from appropriations from the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund established under section 302A-   .  The department:

     (1)  Shall seek funding from other sources, including federal grants, private entities, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and religious groups; provided that donated or voluntary services shall be deemed the equivalent of funding; provided further that the department may seek matching funding from the private sector; and

     (2)  May collect fees from students participating in the program.

     §302A-     Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund.  There is established in the state treasury the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund to be administered by the department.  The revenues of the special fund shall consist of:

     (1)  Appropriations made by the legislature; and

     (2)  Funds obtained and fees charged pursuant to section 302A-   ."

     SECTION 3.  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 2020-2021 for deposit into the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund established under section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for implementation costs and expenses of the Hawaii after-school program for youth established under section 2 of this Act; provided that career and technical education programs shall receive priority for allocation of the funds appropriated.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act; provided that no more than ten per cent of the amount appropriated shall be expended for state administrative duties, technical assistance, program evaluations, program monitoring, and data collection.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

DOE; Hawaii After-School Program for Youth; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii After-School Program for Youth within the Department of Education community engagement branch to provide after school programs for children in grades six through eight.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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