HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	384
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to youth violence.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that youth violence is a growing concern in Hawaii, particularly violence and juvenile delinquency associated with gang membership.  In addition, homicide, suicide, aggravated assaults, and traffic accidents due to alcohol consumption by underage youth represent large costs for the State.  In 2010, overall youth violence cost the State over $109,000,000, with $28,000,000 in costs resulting from youth property crime alone.  In 2013, the average cost to incarcerate a youth at the Hawaii youth correctional facility was over $199,000.  Unfortunately, three-quarters of all youth leaving the facility were re-adjudicated as delinquents or convicted as adults within three years.

     Consequently, the legislature finds that a multi-pronged approach should be taken with programs that have the expertise and experience to reach out and establish relationships and help promote education, self-esteem, individual growth and development, leadership, and responsibility.  The legislature further finds that this approach should incorporate both a school-centered program and a neighborhood-centered program.

     The purpose of this Act, therefore, is help reduce youth violence and delinquency in the State by appropriating funds to the department of human services to fund the operational costs of an organization providing therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high risk youth.

     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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to fund operational costs to provide therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high risk youth.

     The sums 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, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Youth; Mental Health; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to fund operational costs to provide therapeutic prevention and mental health programs for high risk youth.

 

 

 

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