HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.        

133

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that increasing access and visibility in Hawaii's public education systems of a hotline number designed to help children who are the victims of abuse and neglect will increase reporting of incidents of abuse and neglect.  Based on accounts of abused and neglected children, it is evident that teachers are not always able to recognize students who are being abused or neglected.  Increasing the visibility of and access to the child abuse or neglect hotline and other related information will enable students and victims to better self-report these incidents and enable them to get the help they so desperately need.

     The purpose of this Act is to encourage students who are victims of abuse or neglect to seek help and to inform them of resources that are available to help them by permitting department of education schools and charter schools to post a sign containing the department of human services child abuse or neglect hotline in each school in a conspicuous location in a public area that is readily accessible to students.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Child abuse or neglect hotline; posting.  (a)  Each department school may post in each school in a conspicuous location in a public area that is readily accessible to students, a sign that contains the department of human services child abuse or neglect hotline.

     (b)  The director of human services, in consultation with the superintendent, may adopt requirements relating to the size and location of the sign permitted by subsection (a); provided that, at minimum:

     (1)  The director of human services shall decide what languages in addition to English shall be included on the sign to best reach targeted audiences;

     (2)  The language on the sign shall be visible, readable, and clear to students;

     (3)  The sign shall contain the current phone number of the child abuse or neglect hotline in bold print;

     (4)  The sign shall be eleven inches by seventeen inches or larger;

     (5)  The sign shall be posted in a high-traffic location and at eye level to students;

     (6)  The sign shall contain instructions to call 911 for emergencies; and

     (7)  The sign shall contain directions for accessing the department of human services child welfare services website for more information on reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302D-    Child abuse or neglect hotline; posting.  (a)  Each charter school may post in each school in a conspicuous location in a public area that is readily accessible to students, a sign that contains the department of human services child abuse or neglect hotline.

     (b)  The director of human services, in consultation with the governing board of the respective charter school, may adopt requirements relating to the size and location of the sign permitted by subsection (a); provided that, at minimum:

     (1)  The director of human services shall decide what languages in addition to English shall be included on the sign to best reach targeted audiences;

     (2)  The language on the sign shall be visible, readable, and clear to students;

     (3)  The sign shall contain the current phone number of the child abuse or neglect hotline in bold print;

     (4)  The sign shall be eleven inches by seventeen inches or larger;

     (5)  The sign shall be posted in a high-traffic location and at eye level to students;

     (6)  The sign shall contain instructions to call 911 for emergencies; and

     (7)  The sign shall contain directions for accessing the department of human services child welfare services website for more information on reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.


 


Report Title:

Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline; Posting Signs; Public Schools

 

Description:

Allows Department of Education schools and charter schools to post signs containing the Department of Human Services hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect.  (HB133 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.