Bill Text: HI HB2115 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Safety.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-01-24 - Referred to EDN, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB2115 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2115-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2115 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to safety.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our public schools have been marred by a series of disturbing incidents that have jeopardized the safety and well-being of our children and educators. In November 2022, Waikoloa elementary and intermediate school was placed on lockdown due to an armed individual on campus. In October 2023, Waianae high school and castle high school were forced to cancel a football game due to credible gun threats. In December 2023, Nanakuli high school reported an afterhours armed robbery. In January 2024, Waimanalo elementary and intermediate school went on lockdown due to a report about an armed individual on campus.
The legislature further finds that these incidents are not isolated events but represent a growing trend of violence and disruption within the State's public schools. Such threats undermine the very foundation of education, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety that impedes learning and jeopardizes the future of Hawaii's children.
The purpose of this Act is to ensure the protection of the children of the State by requiring the department of education to hire school resource officers at every department school and every charter school.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- School safety; school resource officers;
guards. (a)
The department shall assign school resource officers or guards
registered pursuant to chapter 463 to serve at each department school and charter
school during hours when students are expected to be on the school campus. In determining the number of officers or
guards that shall be assigned to each department school and charter school, the
department shall consider:
(1) The size of the
school campus;
(2) The number of
students in the school; and
(3) Other factors relevant to student safety.
(b) The department shall seek federal grants to
the extent necessary for the costs relating to the hiring of school resource
officers and registered guards."
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 2024-2025 for the provision of school resource officers and guards at department school and charter school.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOE; Schools; Children; Resource Officers; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling
Description:
Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at each department school and charter school. Requires the Department of Education to seek funding from federal grants. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
