Authorizes an emergency appropriation ($11,672,564) to pay for increases in costs due to an increase in students identified as having autism spectrum disorder and for increased costs for school-based behavioral health services. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to enable payment for services to children with autism spectrum disorder and for school-based behavioral health services.

SECTION 3. The number of students requiring services for autism spectrum disorder, the intensity of services required, and the hours during which services must be provided have all increased since the program responsibility and funding were transferred to the department of education from the department of health. The number of students requiring school-based behavioral health services had also increased. An emergency appropriation is needed to fund the increased costs for required services.

A critical funding emergency exists in fiscal year 2004-2005. The department of education will not have sufficient funds to pay for required services with the current appropriation amount.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $11,672,564, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for increased costs due to an increase in required services to students with autism spectrum disorder and in school-based behavioral health services.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.