HB1373

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. Although funds were appropriated to the department of health for early intervention services for the period beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007, the department of health has a critical need for additional funds.

On May 31, 2005, the State of Hawaii was deemed in compliance with the Felix Consent Decree, marking the end of federal court oversight for services including early intervention services. The department of health must continue to carry out its federal and state obligations to provide early intervention services for children age zero to three years with a developmental delay or biological or environmental risk, as mandated by part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-446), sections 321-351 to 321-357, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the Hawaii early intervention state plan.

The State is currently under "special conditions," the first level of sanctions under the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The State is required to show improvement in providing comprehensive developmental evaluations in a timely manner, individual family support plans that meet federal requirements, and transition conferences that meet the federally required timelines to avoid moving to a higher level of sanctions, "compliance agreement."

Due to an increased number of children referred for services, early intervention purchase-of-service programs are providing an increased number of multi-disciplinary comprehensive developmental evaluations of a child′s cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional, and adaptive development.

To serve more children, current programs have expanded and three new purchase-of-service programs were added in windward, central, and leeward Oahu. These programs serve additional children who previously received therapy services from fee-for-service providers and care coordination from early intervention section, early childhood services programs, public health nurses, or healthy start; and additional children under age three years who are confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 also requires a family-centered but more costly approach of providing services in "natural environments" or community-based settings, such as at families′ homes, community preschools, and parks, which increases travel time for service providers to reach the "natural environment," and necessitates a smaller caseload, increased number of providers, and increased costs per child.

As a result of early intervention purchase-of-service programs having increased costs to evaluate and serve additional children as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, existing funds will be expended before the end of this fiscal year.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate additional general funds to address expenses related to early intervention services from the department of health for fiscal year 2006-2007.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,299,809, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2006-2007 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1373
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII