Provides for bus transportation home for students involved in after school extracurricular activities.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that after school extracurricular activities are an important part of a student's education. Students who participate in such activities are more likely to have better test scores and attendance, and to attend college. According to the department of education, 36,243 students participated in extracurricular activities in public schools in fiscal year 1999-2000. There are additional children who would like to participate in after school extracurricular activities but cannot due to transportation constraints.

The purpose of this Act is to make suitable transportation available to all students wishing to participate in after school extracurricular activities.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-406, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The department may provide suitable transportation to and from school upon the conclusion of the regular school day or from school to student residences upon the conclusion of after school extracurricular activities and for educational field trips for all children in grades kindergarten to twelve and in special education classes. The department shall adopt such policy, procedure, and program as it deems necessary to provide suitable transportation[.], and may charge a student activities fee to help offset the cost of the program; provided that the department by rule shall provide a lower fee or free transportation to children based on their economic need. In formulating the policy, procedure, fees and program, the department shall consider the school district; the school attendance area in which a school child normally resides; the distance the school child lives from the school; the availability of public carriers or other means of transportation; the frequency, regularity, and availability of public transportation; and the grade level, physical handicap, or special learning disability of a school child, and it may also consider such conditions and circumstances unique or peculiar to a county or area."

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 2001-2002, for the transportation of students to and from after school extracurricular activities.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2001.