HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1596

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to literacy.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's children and families benefit immensely from literacy programs.  Most importantly, literacy programs assist children with learning to read.  However, literacy programs also serve to bridge the gap between home and school in Hawaii's community by building stronger family relationships, improving the academic tone within homes, and changing family attitudes toward school.

     The benefits of literacy programs are evident in the work of existing nonprofits.  Read Aloud America is a Hawaii nonprofit that brings children and parents together in local schools and motivates them to read.  In addition to parents increasing their own reading time, eighty-seven per cent of parents who participated in the program report that their children's voluntary reading time increased, and seventy-one per cent report their children spend less time with electronic media.  Teachers have also seen encouraging results and report positive changes in student behavior, increased interest in reading, and improved home to school relationships.  Since 1999, Read Aloud America has served eighty-six Hawaii public schools and over 315,000 adults and children.  Another organization, Read to Me International, is also committed to improving child literacy.  Active on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Molokai, and Kauai, the nonprofit collaborates with community volunteers to educate families about the importance of reading aloud to children and raising children who value reading.

     The legislature further finds that child literacy programs have previously been supported by funds from the department of human services.  Currently, valuable literacy programs such as Read Aloud America and Read to Me International are suffering from a lack of state funding.  The governor's council for literacy was established in 1987 to work toward a literate Hawaii, and Hawaii families continue to need education and resources to help children learn to read and families become more engaged in their local schools and community.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of human services to establish a statewide literacy program.  Utilizing existing programs and nonprofits to provide direct services to Hawaii's families, the department of human services will administer a literacy program that supports a bright future for Hawaii's children and families.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346‑    Statewide literacy program.  (a)  There shall be established within the department a statewide literacy program to help increase Hawaii's literacy rates and benefit Hawaii's children and families.  The department shall administer the literacy program.

     (b)  The department may contract with third-party organizations and nonprofit organizations to assist with carrying out the literacy program."

     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 2014-2015 for the department of human services to establish a statewide literacy program, including all program costs and hiring of any necessary staff.

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

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.


     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Child Literacy; Department of Human Services; Appropriation

 

Description:

Provides funding to the department of human services to establish a statewide literacy program utilizing local programs and nonprofits to provide direct services.

 

 

 

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