Bill Text: HI HB2516 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Health; Early Childhood
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-14 - (H) Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and C. Lee, M. Lee excused (2). [HB2516 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-HB2516-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2516 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem that has adverse and long-lasting consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Childhood obesity tends to persist into adulthood and increases the risk for chronic diseases, including diabetes. In Hawaii, adult obesity more than doubled between 1995 and 2009, and childhood obesity increased by thirty-eight per cent between 1999 and 2009. Obesity-related medical expenditures in Hawaii were over $323,000,000 in 2009, and are continuing to rise.
Sedentary lifestyles combined with an excess of poor dietary choices, including the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, contribute to the rapid and steady increase in obesity in Hawaii. The establishment of unhealthy behaviors in a child's early years, such as drinking too many sugary drinks or being too sedentary, can also set the stage for obesity and its related health problems. As a result of the increased risks related to obesity, this generation of children may be the first generation not to outlive their parents due to unhealthy lifestyles.
The legislature recognizes that the early childhood years are critical to an individual's health, educational success, and well-being throughout the life span. A large body of evidence ties experiences in early childhood with health throughout life, particularly in adulthood. For example, in 2011, the Institute of Medicine's Standing Committee on Childhood Obesity Prevention issued its "Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies" which indicates that early childhood has emerged as a critical period for assessing the beginnings of obesity and instituting preventive measures.
Promotion of healthy lifestyles from the earliest years throughout life is essential to good health. Preventing obesity in infants and young children holds great promise for achieving significant gains in reversing the epidemic of childhood obesity and reducing obesity in adulthood.
The Hawaii early intervention coordinating council, established in 1989, with its focus on early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families, is an important stakeholder of early childhood intervention.
The purpose of this Act is to improve early childhood health by increasing awareness of early childhood obesity and strengthening existing supports for early childhood intervention.
SECTION 2. Section 321-353, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§321-353 Hawaii early intervention
coordinating council; establishment. (a) There is established within the
department for administrative purposes the Hawaii early intervention
coordinating council. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms by the
governor without the necessity of the advice and consent of the senate. The [membership
of the] council shall [consist of fifteen] comprise twenty-two
members [selected from the following:] as follows:
(1) At least [three] twenty per cent of the
members shall be parents of infants, toddlers[,] with special
needs, or children [under the age of seven] with special needs[;]
aged twelve years or younger, with knowledge of, or experience with,
programs for infants and toddlers with special needs; provided that at least
one parent shall be a parent of an infant or toddler with special needs or of a
child with special needs aged six years or younger;
(2) At least [three] twenty per cent of the
members shall be public or private providers of early intervention
services;
(3) [At least one representative] One
member shall be from the legislature;
(4) [At least one person] One member shall
be involved in personnel preparation;
(5) One member shall be from the department of health program that is involved in the provision of, or payment for, early intervention services to infants and toddlers with special needs and their families, and that has sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the program;
(6) One member shall be from the department of health program responsible for children's mental health;
[(5) At least one] (7) One
member [representing] shall be from the department of education[;]
program that is responsible for preschool services to children with
disabilities and that has sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and
implementation on behalf of the program;
(8) One member shall be from the department of education program responsible for the coordination of education of homeless children and youth;
[(6) At least one]
(9) One member [representing] shall be from the
department of human services[;] program responsible for the state
medicaid program;
(10) One member shall be from the department of human services program responsible for child care;
(11) One member shall be from the department of human services program responsible for foster care;
(12) One member shall be the insurance commissioner or the insurance commissioner's designee;
(13) One member shall be from a Head Start or Early Head Start agency or program in the State;
[(7) At least one member representing the office of
the governor;] and
[(8)] (14) Other members [representing
private or public agencies involved in] that are involved or
interested in [the payment for or provision of] services to infants and
toddlers with special needs and their families[.] and who are
selected by the governor.
Any vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner in which the original position was filled.
(b) The council shall elect its officers, and [eight]
twelve members shall constitute a quorum. Members shall serve without
compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses,
necessary for the performance of their duties. No member shall cast a vote
on any matter that is likely to provide a direct financial benefit to that
member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest. A member
from the department of health may not serve as the chairperson of the council.
(c) The council shall meet at least quarterly and in such places as it deems necessary. The meetings shall be publicly announced, and be open and accessible to the general public.
(d) The council shall perform the following functions:
(1) Advise and assist the director in the identification of the sources of fiscal and other support for services for early intervention programs, assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency, and the promotion of the interagency agreements;
(2) Advise and assist the department in the
preparation of applications and amendments thereto; [and]
(3) Advise and assist the department of education regarding the transition of toddlers with special needs to preschool and other appropriate services; and
[(3)] (4) Prepare and submit an annual
report to the governor on the status of early intervention programs for infants
and toddlers with special needs and their families within the State."
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 2012-2013 to:
(1) Collect and analyze Hawaii-specific early childhood overweight and obesity data to identify children at risk;
(2) Increase awareness of the health implications of early childhood obesity;
(3) Promote best practices through community based initiatives to improve healthy life choices; and
(4) Establish a task force to develop and recommend legislation related to the prevention of childhood obesity.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2012.
Report Title:
Health; Early Childhood
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to support early childhood development. Addresses a housekeeping issue regarding the Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council to ensure compliance with current federal requirements for the council. (HB2516 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
