Report Title:

At-risk Children Pilot Project

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot project to develop or contract to develop and operate programs to provide services and support for at-risk children from low-income families.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2027

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to children.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of human services shall establish a pilot project to develop and operate facilities statewide to assist at-risk children up to thirteen years-of-age from low-income households.  The department may contract with a nonprofit organization to establish the pilot project.

     (b)  The pilot project shall:

     (1)  Assist children whose physical, emotional, mental, social, or educational well-being is in imminent danger;

     (2)  Provide a safe environment that promotes health and nutrition; and

     (3)  Provide emergency care and social and educational services.

     (c)  The pilot project shall develop programs to:

     (1)  Provide medical check-ups for homeless children upon arrival at homeless shelters;

     (2)  Schedule educational activities within the shelter for homeless children; and

     (3)  Provide shelter employees with training to address the special needs of children.

The department of human services or contracted organization may consult with the department of education or other appropriate state agencies to develop these programs.

     (d)  The pilot project may provide other services or develop other programs that provide assistance to homeless and low-income children and native Hawaiian children.

     (e)  The pilot project shall cease to exist on June 30, 2011.

     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 2008-2009 to establish a pilot project for at-risk children from low-income households.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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