Bill Text: HI HB2623 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Education.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-02-15 - The committee(s) on EDN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2623 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2623-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2623 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature also finds that although visitors made up a slight majority of the fatal drownings that occurred in the State between 2014 and 2018, an alarmingly large proportion of fatal child drownings--ninety-six per cent--were among resident children. During the same period, there was an annual average of seventy non-fatal child drowning incidents attended by emergency medical services. Although individuals who experience non-fatal drowning incidents escape with their lives, some are left with severe brain damage. Those individuals may face long‑term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, or permanent losses of basic functions, a disorder often referred to as a persistent vegetative state. Given the potential for death or severe long-term injuries, the State must prioritize the prevention of fatal and non-fatal drownings.
The legislature further finds that most drowning deaths could be prevented through deliberate government action. Specifically, the International Life Saving Federation's Position Statement for Swimming and Safety Education recommends that everyone have access to training in water safety, personal survival, and water rescue. Ideally, this training should commence at a young age and should be available regardless of ability and background. In addition, the International Life Saving Federation recommends that knowledge and understanding of water environments and their associated hazards should be taught to everyone at the earliest possible age.
Despite these recommendations, the legislature finds that many of Hawaii's youth do not have the opportunity to receive aquatic safety instruction. Less than ten per cent of public and public charter elementary schools integrate aquatic safety education into their physical education curriculums. Outside of schools, municipal aquatic safety programs lack the resources to meet public demand, and obtaining private lessons is often cost-prohibitive for many local families.
As a result, many children are inadequately prepared for water-related emergencies. An assessment of Hawaii students conducted by the Hawaii Aquatics Academy during the 2018-2019 school year found that only thirty-one per cent of participating students could swim for twenty-five yards, only twelve per cent could float for thirty seconds, and only thirteen per cent could tread water for sixty seconds.
The legislature finds that all children should be provided equal access to standards-based aquatic safety education programs. To achieve this, aquatic safety education should be integrated into the health and physical education curriculums of public schools. Providing proper training in water safety, personal survival, and water rescue will help to ensure that the State's youth, especially those from low- and moderate-income communities, know how to avoid and recover from hazardous aquatic situations. This would also be consistent with the department of health's Hawaii Injury Prevention Plan 2018-2023, which aims to decrease the incidence of drownings in the State.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education to:
(1) Contract with a qualified nonprofit organization to establish an aquatic safety education program for elementary school students; and
(2) Establish one full-time equivalent position (1.0 FTE) within the department of education to administer the program.
SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
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 2024-2025 for the department of education to:
(1) Contract with a qualified nonprofit organization, pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to establish an aquatic safety education program, which shall be offered to elementary school students during regular school hours; and
(2) Establish one full-time equivalent position (1.0 FTE) to administer the aquatic safety education program established pursuant to this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOE; Aquatic Safety Education; Positions; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to contract with a qualified nonprofit organization to establish an aquatic safety education program for elementary school students and to establish one full-time equivalent position (1.0 FTE) to administer the program.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
