Appropriates $725,595 for FY 2001-2002 and $940,845 for FY 2002-2003 to maintain and expand the services provided by the department of health's peer education program.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The peer education program was established in 1988 to address such serious teen health issues as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, violence, and suicide. The department of health has assumed the lead in the program by establishing broad-based, systemic, adolescent health prevention programs in the State's secondary schools. The services provided by the peer education program has become an essential component in our public school system, and support the State's adolescent wellness plan, "laulima in action." In so doing, the peer education program attempts to aid teens who are at risk or in crisis, thus diminishing the cost and services needed for future adult intervention efforts, and resulting in well-adjusted teens, who are able to contribute to society.

The peer education program is implemented in twenty-six schools across the State. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to maintain the operations of the twenty-six schools, and to fund the establishment of peer education programs in ten additional schools throughout the fiscal biennium.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $725,595, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and $940,845, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the department of health's peer education program to be expended as follows:

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.