Bill Text: HI HB2505 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Education; Child Abuse and Neglect; Signs; Child Welfare Services; Department of Human Services
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-12 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on EDN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Tokioka excused (1). [HB2505 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2505-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2505 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 the access and visibility of a hotline number designed to help children who are the victims of abuse and neglect will increase the number of reports of abuse and neglect and allow students and victims to self-report. Based on the accounts of abused and neglected children, it is evident that teachers are not always able to recognize students who are being molested, abused, or neglected. Increasing the visibility of and access to the child abuse or neglect hotline and other related information will help enable children get the help they desperately need.
The purpose of this Act is to require department of education schools and charter schools to post signs that include the child abuse or neglect hotline in highly visible, high traffic locations to encourage students who are victims of abuse and neglect to seek help and let them know there are resources to help them in their tragic situations.
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 and charter school governed by chapter 302D shall post in a clearly visible location, in a public area of the school 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 required by subsection (a); provided that at a minimum:
(1) The director shall decide what languages, other than English, the sign shall be translated into to best reach the targeted audiences;
(2) The language on the sign shall be in large font and shall be clear, simple, and understandable to students;
(3) The sign shall contain the current phone number for the child abuse or neglect hotline and the number shall be 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 of the 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, and exploitation."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Education; Child Abuse and Neglect; Signs; Child Welfare Services; Department of Human Services
Description:
Requires Department of Education schools and charter schools to post informational signs that include the Department of Human Services phone number for reporting abuse and neglect. (HB2505 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
