Bill Text: HI SB646 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Safety.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-23 - Referred to EDU/PSM, WAM. [SB646 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2025-SB646-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
646 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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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:
The legislature further finds that young children often lack the capacity to properly assess and identify the potential dangers posed by the presence of individuals who are not authorized to be present on a school or program's campus. The legislature recognizes the importance of safety in elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs to ensure that young children can learn in a safe environment. Accordingly, the State must take action to deter the presence of unauthorized individuals from the premises.
The purpose of this Act is to ensure the protection of young children by assigning dedicated security personnel to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs by establishing a two-year safety pilot program that assigns school resource officers or guards to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs within the Campbell-Kapolei complex area.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart C, 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 public elementary school
and state prekindergarten program 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 public elementary
school or state prekindergarten program, the department shall consider:
(1) The size of the school campus;
(2) The number of students in the school
or program; 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. (a) The department of education shall:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program that assigns school resource officers or guards registered pursuant to chapter 463 to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs in the Campbell-Kapolei complex area based on the factors as set forth in section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
(2) Make recommendations based on the pilot program that address student safety at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs.
(b) No later than thirty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2027 and 2028, the department of education shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.
SECTION 4. 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 2025-2026, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the provision of school resource officers and guards at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs under the pilot program established under section 3.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOE; Schools; Children; Resource Officers; Guards; Pilot Program; Report; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs. Requires report to the Legislature. 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.
