Appropriates money for the University of Hawaii's School of Social Work's Long-term Case Management Program for victims of major natural disasters.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that as a result of the number of major natural disasters that have occurred globally in the past year and the difficulties that arose in providing a swift, appropriate, and effective response to the victims of those events, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began to identify gaps in its response system. Among other things, FEMA noted that recovery from major natural disasters takes much longer than anyone had ever anticipated. Further, there is virtually no established system that provides long-term case management services to victims that identifies the on-going needs of the affected communities, and which develops, coordinates, and distributes resources to meet those needs. As long-term assistance to victims of disasters is not within the charge of FEMA, it sought out organizations that might be willing and able to provide funding for the establishment of those kinds of services.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii's school of social work's long-term case management program for victims of major natural disasters to ensure the adequate staffing and operation of the program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $160,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to operate the University of Hawaii's school of social work's long-term case management program for victims of major natural disasters.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.