Hawaii-2020-SB2063-Amended

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that approximately seventy-four per cent of all children in Hawaii are raised by working families. The Afterschool Alliance reports that thirty-eight per cent of all Hawaii children who are not enrolled in an after-school program would be likely to participate in a program if one were available in their community.

Approximately 1,355 children in Hawaii are homeless and can benefit from a safe, structured out-of-school environment. Out-of-school programs can be aligned with the school day to complement, but not duplicate, learning and can expose students to arts, culture, literacy, fitness, math, science, character development, and community service. The purpose of out-of-school programs is to provide quality care and a quality learning experience while preventing Hawaii's youth from engaging in risky behaviors that may lead to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use or teen pregnancy and often result in youth dropping out of school or not being prepared to enter the workforce. Many out-of-school programs offered by community organizations are expensive and often inaccessible due to the high demand for services driven by a lack of out-of-school programming throughout the State. The State has a responsibility to provide its youth with a variety of educational out-of-school activities that build character and self-esteem. Hawaii has been recognized by Afterschool Alliance as one of the top ten states for providing out-of-school programs. More than a decade of research confirms that quality after-school programs inspire and motivate children to learn, support children's social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement. A study of outcomes associated with participation in afterschool programs found that students who regularly participate during their elementary school years showed a variety of gains, including: narrowing the math achievement gap between high-income and low-income students in the fifth grade; improving work habits and self-sufficiency; and reducing the number of school absences. Furthermore, seventy-two per cent of parents surveyed in Hawaii agree that after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs.

However, after school each day, seventeen per cent or more than thirty-six thousand of Hawaii's youth in grades K-12 are responsible for taking care of themselves. Additionally, students residing in impoverished rural areas are at greatest risk of making poor choices and engaging in risky behaviors outside of school. Additionally, transportation is either inaccessible or costly, further discouraging children from participating in extracurricular activities. Low-income rural households, the very families that need supplemental enrichment for their children, are three times more likely than other rural households to be without a vehicle. Families that do have a vehicle are even more affected than non-rural residents by increases in gasoline prices because these families must travel longer distances and rely on smaller, more expensive vendors for gasoline.

States have supported policies that expand learning opportunities to advance a range of state education and youth goals. These opportunities, known as expanded learning opportunities, offer structured learning environments outside the traditional school day hours through before- and after-school programs. These opportunities also provide a range of enrichment and learning activities in various subjects, including arts; civic engagement; language; and science, technology, engineering, and math.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii after-school program for youth and the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund; and

(2) Appropriate moneys for the Hawaii after-school program for youth.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to subpart C of part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Hawaii after-school program for youth. (a) There is established within the community engagement branch of the department the Hawaii after-school program for youth to provide after-school programs to students in grades six through eight. All public schools, including public charter schools, may participate in and be eligible for funding through the program. The department may contract with private entities to furnish the program; provided that this section shall not be interpreted to impose any liability upon the State, its employees, or its agents.

(b) The program shall be funded from appropriations from the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund established under section 302A- . The department:

(1) Shall seek financial and in-kind contributions from other sources, including federal grants, private entities, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and religious groups; provided that in-kind contributions shall be assessed at fair market value and deemed the equivalent of financial contributions; and

(2) May collect fees from students participating in the program.

§302A- Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund. There is established in the state treasury the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund to be administered by the department. The revenues of the special fund shall consist of:

(1) Appropriations made by the legislature; and

(2) Moneys obtained and fees charged pursuant to section 302A- ."

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 2020-2021 to be deposited into the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund established under section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii after-school program for youth special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for implementation costs and expenses of the Hawaii after-school program for youth established under section 2 of this Act; provided that career and technical education programs provided through the Hawaii after-school program for youth shall receive priority for allocation of the funds appropriated; provided further that no more than ten per cent of the amount appropriated shall be expended for state administrative duties, technical assistance, program evaluations, program monitoring, and data collection.

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

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2063
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII