Report Title:

Emergency Approriation; Autism Spectrum Disorder; School-Based Behavioral Services

Description:

Authorizes an emergency appropriation ($11, 672, 564) pay for increases in costs due to an increase in students identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder and for increased cost for School-Based Behavioral Health Services.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

778

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, AND FOR SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 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. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to enable payment for services to children with autism spectrum disorder, and for school-based behavioral health services.

SECTION 3. The number of students requiring services for autism spectrum disorder, the intensity of services required, and the hours during which services must be provided have all increased since the program responsibility and funding were transferred to the department of education from the department of health. The number of students requiring school-based behavioral health services has also increased. An emergency appropriation is needed to fund the increased costs for required services.

A critical funding emergency exists in fiscal year 2004-2005. The department of education will not have sufficient funds to pay for required services with the current appropriation amount.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $11,672,564 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST