Appropriates funds to provide treatment services for child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, including psychological treatment and case management services for child victims and their families who are not covered under the child protective services system of the department of human services. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Thousands of abused children and their families become involved with the criminal justice system each year, and they often are some of the most difficult cases to manage. A critical function of victim advocacy is to ensure that crime victims receive the support and intervention they need to remedy the effects of crime. Victims who receive appropriate support are better able to cooperate with the criminal justice system, which enables the system to do its job more effectively and efficiently. Also, child abuse is a crime that frequently results in serious mental health problems for victims. Therefore, helping child abuse victims, especially those who are victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, receive the mental health treatment they need is an important component of victim advocacy with children, and benefits both the children and the criminal justice system.

The legislature finds that providing treatment services for child victims for intrafamilial sexual abuse is crucial. The legislature appropriated funding for child victims of intrafamilial family abuse in Act 45, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, from the emergency and budget reserve fund. The legislature now finds that funding for this program should be appropriated from general funds.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for treatment services for child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, including psychological treatment and case management services for child victims and their families who are not covered under the child protective services system of the department of human services.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $314,381, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to provide treatment services for child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, including psychological treatment and case management services for child victims and their families who are not covered under the child protective services system of the department of human services.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary via the children's justice center in accordance with

chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.