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THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1114

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 the fiscal year 2000-2001 by $4,882,863 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. The department is mandated by both state and federal statute to provide foster care to abused and neglected children and to find permanent homes for those children who are unable to return to their original homes. Foster board and board-related costs, permanency assistance, and difficulty-of-care payments for foster and adoptive parents, permanent custodians, and guardians of children with special needs must be paid to support child placements.

In order to comply with the department's mandates, additional funds are urgently needed.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated or authorized from the sources of funding indicated below, the following sums, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2000-2001, to provide foster board and board-related costs, permanency assistance, and difficulty-of-care payments for foster and adoptive parents, permanent custodians, and guardians of children with special needs:

General Funds: $4,882,863

Other Federal Funds: $2,711,014

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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