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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

631

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

 

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

SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. In accordance with sections 37-92(b) and 37-92(h) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the governor has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the general fund appropriation ceiling of the executive branch to be exceeded in fiscal year 2000-2001 by $1,800,000 or ___ per cent. The reason for exceeding the executive general fund appropriation ceiling is to ensure that the public interest is served, and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

SECTION 3. Act 281, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, appropriated a sum of money to the department of human services to provide funds for child welfare services under the department’s social services division for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2000, and ending June 30, 2001.

A critical funding emergency exists. At a hearing in Felix v. Cayetano on August 2, 2000, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii ordered the department to hire interagency case coordinators and case aides to deliver direct and support services to children, foster parents, and social workers involved with court-ordered benchmarks.

The court also ordered the expansion of contracted services to recruit and support foster parents for special needs children and to expand comprehensive services for the child welfare services population.

In order to comply with these orders, additional funds are urgently needed.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,800,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2000-2001 to be used to hire interagency case coordinators and case aides to deliver direct and support services to children, foster parents, and social workers involved with court-ordered benchmarks; to expand contracted services to recruit and support foster parents for special needs children; and to expand comprehensive services for the child welfare services population.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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