Bill Text: HI HB1987 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Youth Gangs; Prevention and Intervention; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-03-23 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB1987 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1987-Amended.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1987
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO YOUTH GANGS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a growing youth gang problem in Hawaii.  This is evidenced by a statewide increase in gang membership as well as an increase in gang related graffiti, violence, and criminal activity.  While ethnic and socio-economic profiles have changed over the past three decades, the dynamics and causes of gang activity remain the same.

     Since youth gang members are primarily of school age, gang related activities may impact school campuses as well.  It is reported that gang members illicitly engage in criminal activity such as distribution and sale of illegal drugs and substances.  It is also reported that members possess weapons and may be prone to violent behavior, endangering the safety and well-being of students as well as faculty and school personnel.

     Gang delinquency tends to appear in communities where factors of poverty, adolescence, and social disorganization are present.  These are social, economic, and environmental factors that continue to plague communities in Hawaii.  Social disorganization is activated in communities that have high rates of in-migration, in families that lack the skills or time to provide adolescents with the support and guidance they need, and in schools and communities that fail to offer the types of activities that foster in adolescents a sense of challenge, purpose, and belonging, and that fail to recognize and effectively assist youths who are "at-risk".  When youths turn to gangs for support and recognition, their destructive behavior is an expression of their desperate need for help from the social disorganization they are facing.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the office of youth services to coordinate the development of a statewide youth gang information system;

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the office of youth services to provide and develop prevention and intervention services and programs statewide for youth at risk; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds to the county police departments to monitor gang activities and establish new gang prevention strategies and projects statewide.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 352D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§352D-    Youth gang information program.  The office of youth services shall coordinate the development of:

     (1)  A statewide information system and information clearinghouse on youth gangs;

     (2)  Public education on the youth gang problem;

     (3)  Community support groups to help citizens confront and deal with the problems of youth gangs;

     (4)  A statewide parent education program for parents and caregivers of suspected or adjudicated gang members; and

     (5)  A statewide law enforcement task force focused on resolving and preventing youth gang criminal activities."

     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 2016-2017 for the office of youth services to provide and develop prevention and intervention services and programs statewide for youth at risk.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services for the purposes of this Act.

     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 2016-2017 to monitor gang activities and establish new gang prevention strategies and projects statewide and to be distributed as follows:

     (1)  County of Hawaii, police department $          ;

     (2)  County of Kauai, police department $          ;

     (3)  County of Maui, police department $          ; and

     (4)  City and County of Honolulu, police department $          .

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the police departments of the respective counties for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance of any appropriation made by this Act as of the close of business on June 30, 2018, shall lapse to the credit of the general fund.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2060.

 

 

 

Report Title:

Youth Gangs; Prevention and Intervention; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a youth gang information program in the office of youth services.  Appropriates funds for the development of prevention and intervention services and programs statewide for youth at risk, and to monitor gang activities and establish new gang prevention strategies and projects.  Takes effect on 7/1/2060.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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