THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

391

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO YOUTH.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is one of the safest and healthiest places in the nation for children and youth.  However, many of Hawaii's youth are not immune to daily threats to their health and safety.  Every year, youth run away from homes where abuse, neglect, and domestic violence are commonplace, or from schools where intolerable bullying becomes a major barrier to educational achievement.  Without access to safe places, youth in these situations are vulnerable and may be victimized by predatory adults who lure them into alcohol and substance abuse or prostitution.

     In October 2012, these concerns were discussed during the annual children and youth summit sponsored by the legislature's keiki caucus.  In these discussions, youth expressed concerns over a lack of safe places.  Youth were interested in accessing places where they could seek safety from intolerable home or school environments without fear of being judged, detained, or criminalized as a runaway.  Youth also expressed interest in being able to access other youth-specific advice, guidance, programs, and services, including guidance and counseling for suicide prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, tobacco cessation, and alcohol and substance abuse support.  Finally, youth wished to access safe places where they could have fun without the fear of being harassed, bullied, or pressured by other youth or adults.  At the end of the summit, participating youth identified the need for safe places as one of their highest priorities.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the office of youth services to coordinate a two-year safe places for youth pilot program, which will coordinate a network of safe places where youth can access safety and obtain advice, guidance, programs, and services;

     (2)  Establish the position of safe places for youth program coordinator; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds for the safe places for youth program coordinator position and residential options for the pilot program.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The office of youth services shall coordinate a safe places for youth pilot program in partnership with private organizations.  The primary objective of the pilot program shall be to coordinate a network that youth may access for safety and to obtain advice, guidance, programs, and services.  All youth are eligible for services at the safe places.

     (b)  There is established the position of safe places for youth program coordinator.  The coordinator shall:

     (1)  Coordinate the safe places for youth network;

     (2)  Partner with an entity to maintain an updated listing of safe places statewide;

     (3)  Provide ongoing training of organizations designated as safe places for youth in areas including emergency response and trauma;

     (4)  Partner with the department of education, Hawaii state student council, peer education programs, private schools, and other youth services organizations to build awareness of the safe places for youth network; and

     (5)  Convene an annual meeting of safe places for youth organizations and other interested parties to identify emerging needs, provide feedback on program effectiveness, and provide an opportunity to recommend improvements to the pilot program.

     (c)  The safe places for youth pilot program shall provide access to and linkage with services and programs needed by youth, including but not limited to:

     (1)  Domestic violence prevention or reduction;

     (2)  Violence and trauma recovery and support;

     (3)  Human trafficking resources and prevention;

     (4)  Suicide prevention;

     (5)  Resources targeted at teenagers, including teen pregnancy prevention;

     (6)  Tobacco cessation;

     (7)  Alcohol and substance abuse support;

     (8)  Behavior health counseling and education;

     (9)  Assistance for youth to achieve their educational and vocational goals;

    (10)  Dating violence prevention; and

    (11)  Other relationship building and life skills.

     (d)  The office of youth services shall coordinate a comprehensive network of safe places for youth to assist youth in obtaining the advice and guidance they need.

     (e)  The safe places for youth pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2015.

     (f)  For the purposes of this Act:

     "Safe places" means physical and virtual places of safety for youth.

     "Youth" means any person twenty-one years of age or younger.

     SECTION 3.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the position of safe places for youth program coordinator and residential options for the pilot program.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; Office of Youth Services; Safe Places for Youth Pilot Program; Appropriation;

 

Description:

Requires the office of youth services to coordinate a two-year safe places for youth pilot program to establish a network of safe places where youth can access safety and services.  Establishes the position of safe places for youth program coordinator.  Makes appropriation.  Effective July 1, 2050.  (SB391 HD1)

 

 

 

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