Report Title:

Substance Abuse; Treatment; Uninsured Students

Description:

Establishes an "assessment bank" to cover the cost of substance abuse assessments for uninsured students who are found to be in violation of the department of education's zero tolerance policy relating to alcohol and other drugs. Makes appropriation.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2213

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for substance abuse assessments for uninsured students.

 

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

SECTION 1. The department of education has instituted a zero tolerance policy with regard to students who possess, sell, consume, or use intoxicating liquor or illegal drugs while attending school, or who reasonably appear to have consumed or used intoxicating liquor or illegal drugs prior to attending department-supervised activities held on or off school property. Any student found to be in violation of either provision of this policy is subject to the department's disciplinary rules. The student may be allowed to return to school earlier than the department’s original disciplinary determination, if the student gives the school evidence of: (a) a completed substance abuse assessment and the student is progressing toward clinical discharge from any substance abuse treatment or substance abuse counseling recommended by the substance abuse assessment, or (b) if the substance abuse assessment finds the student does not need substance abuse treatment or substance abuse counseling, provided that the student provides a certified copy of the assessment, and the student's parent or legal guardian consents to the student receiving follow-up counseling or other student support services to be provided by the department.

Assessment is the process of evaluating or appraising a candidate's suitability for substance abuse treatment and placement in a specific treatment modality or setting. This evaluation includes information on current and past use and abuse of drugs; justice system involvement; medical, familial, social, educational, military, employment, and treatment histories; and risk for infectious diseases (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis). Publicly-funded assessment services are needed for students who lack the necessary financial resources or who are uninsured.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish an "assessment bank" to cover the cost of substance abuse assessments for uninsured students who are found to be in violation of the department of education's zero tolerance policy relating to alcohol and other drugs.

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 2006-2007, for an "assessment bank" to cover the cost of substance abuse assessments for students who are found to be in violation of the department of education's "zero tolerance" policy relating to alcohol and other drugs.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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