HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

438

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to youth programs.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the office of youth services of the department of human services provides and coordinates a continuum of services and programs for at-risk youth to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism.  The office of youth services has four main support programs: juvenile justice in Hawaii, which aims to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism for youth-at-risk; the Hawaii youth correctional facility, which is a thirty‑bed facility where the primary purpose is to provide care and custody of at-risk youth committed to the State by the family courts; the Hawaii juvenile justice state advisory council, which advises government and local communities on effective service provisions and policies that improve the juvenile justice system and advocates for delinquency prevention; and the Hawaii state youth commission, which advises the governor and legislature on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the youth of the State.

     The legislature further finds that in light of youth suicide rates, dropout rates, and interactions with the criminal justice system, especially for youth originating from the Pacific islands, the youth of Hawaii would benefit from the myriad of Pacific youth programs offered to assist at-risk youth.  Recognizing the unique needs of individuals from the Pacific and the other parts of Oceania, the university of Hawaii has a student services specialist dedicated to provide student support services for students from Oceania.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a Pacific youth programs coordinator position within the office of youth services.

     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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Pacific youth program coordinator position within the office of youth services of the department of human services.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

OYS; DHS; Pacific Youth Programs; Position; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys and establishes one Pacific youth programs coordinator position within the Department of Human Services Office of Youth Services.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

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