Report Title:
Education; DOE; Service-Learning; Graduation Requirements
Description:
Requires service-learning opportunities for all students in public schools. Requires service-learning projects as part of high school curriculum for graduation from public high schools. Exempts students engaged in service-learning projects from civil liability. Makes appropriation. (SD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2173 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SERVICE LEARNING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 302A-1128, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The department shall regulate the courses of study to be pursued in all grades of public schools and classify them by methods the department deems proper; provided that:
(1) The course of study and instruction shall be regulated in accordance with the statewide performance standards established under section 302A-201;
(2) All pupils shall be progressively competent in the use of computer technology; [and]
(3) The course of study and instruction for the first twelve grades shall provide opportunities for all students to develop competency in a language in addition to English[.];
(4) The course of study and instruction for the first twelve grades shall provide opportunities for all students to participate in service-learning projects integrated into the curriculum; and
(5) All high school graduates shall be required to complete service-learning projects integrated into the curriculum. The board shall adopt policies to implement this requirement.
The department shall develop statewide educational policies and guidelines based on this subsection without regard to chapter 91.
For the purposes of this subsection, the terms "progressively competent in the use of computer technology["]," [and] "competency in a language in addition to English["]," and "service-learning projects integrated into the curriculum" shall be defined by policies adopted by the board. The board shall formulate statewide educational policies allowing the superintendent to exempt certain students from the requirements of paragraphs (2), [and] (3), (4), and (5) without regard to chapter 91."
SECTION 2. Section 662D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "volunteer" to read as follows:
""Volunteer" means a person performing services without compensation, other than reimbursement for actual expenses incurred, for a nonprofit organization, a nonprofit corporation, a hospital, or a governmental entity[. The term includes a volunteer serving] including direct services and services as a director, officer, trustee, or member[, or direct service volunteer]. The term also includes a public school student engaged in service-learning projects pursuant to subsection 302A-1128(b)."
SECTION 3. Section 662D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) A volunteer shall be immune from civil liability in any action on the basis of any act or omission of a volunteer resulting in damage or injury if:
(1) The volunteer was acting in good faith and within the scope of the volunteer's official functions and duties for a nonprofit organization, a nonprofit corporation, a hospital, [or] a governmental entity[;], or a public school;
(2) The damage or injury was caused by the volunteer's negligent conduct; and
(3) With respect to a nonprofit organization, nonprofit corporation, or hospital, the entity for which the volunteer was acting [either:
(A) Has] has a general liability policy in force, both at the time of injury and at the time the claim is made against the entity, and the minimum coverage is in an amount of not less than[:] $200,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate[; or
(B) Has total assets, exclusive of grants and allocations, of less than $50,000]."
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the development and integration of service-learning into the public school curriculum.
SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act, including the hiring of necessary staff.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval, and shall apply to students graduating after December 31, 2007.