HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	721
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to foster youth.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  This legislature finds that foster youth lack stable and consistent relationships with positive adult role models.  These relationships are critical to the lives and well-being of foster youth and have been found essential to:

     (1)  Building the self-esteem of foster youth;

     (2)  Teaching healthy forms of communication;

     (3)  Fostering a sense of community and belonging; and

     (4)  Improving school attendance and reducing attrition.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide mentorship program for foster youth to enrich their lives and improve their opportunity for future success. 

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

     "§346-     Hawaii foster youth mentorship program; established.  (a)  There is established within the department of human services, the Hawaii foster youth mentorship program.  The department shall establish and administer the program to:

     (1)  Serve foster youth from ages seven to eighteen;

     (2)  Recruit and coordinate adult members of the community as mentors; and

     (3)  Facilitate consistent, meaningful, and long-term interaction between adult mentors and foster youth by establishing program guidelines for mentors.

     (b)  The department shall partner with the department of education; interested schools; and appropriate public, nonprofit, and private agencies, to effectuate the purposes of this section.

     (c)  The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to effectuate the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general fund of the State the sum of       or so much as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011-2012.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Human Services; Foster Youth; Mentorship

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii foster youth mentorship program in the Department of Human Services to promote the well-being of foster youth.

 

 

 

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