Appropriates funds for the transitional living program for unserved street youth.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness afflicts people of all ages, but is particularly tragic when it happens to the youngest Hawaii residents. The efforts to help these youths has had a significant impact, but they cannot be expected to be sustained indefinitely without financial assistance.

Programs in place helped more than three hundred homeless youths last year alone, and provided outreach services which covered such areas as:

(1) Housing;

(2) Employment;

(3) Education; and

(4) Mental health needs.

Without these services, these youths will likely return to the streets as they will no longer have the support structure, and in some cases the residential placement that has facilitated their attempt at independent living. Without the helping hand to gain the education, employment, and mental health support they require, they have little chance to become a functional and contributing part of our society.

It is in the State's interest to ensure that young people in Hawaii can get a fair start in life. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the office of youth services for transitional living services for homeless youths.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 to fund the transitional living program for unserved street youth.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.