HB204 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that as the state population increases, the health needs of Hawaii's residents also increase. The department of health provides important services, programs, and resources statewide to prevent disease and injury, promote health and well-being, and strengthen families and communities. As Hawaii's population continues to grow, the department needs to keep up with the increased demand for public health services and programs.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health so it can continue to maintain its existing staff and hire additional professionals to provide health services and programs.

PART I

SECTION 2. The preschool developmental screening program under the department of health is the only statewide program that provides free developmental and behavioral screening, and coordinates follow-up services for three- to five-year-old children. Studies have shown that sixteen per cent of children have disabilities, including speech and language delays, developmental or learning disabilities, and emotional or behavioral problems, but only thirty per cent of these children receive early detection before they enter school. Moreover, the percentage of mental health problems is higher among children within the at-risk category. Early developmental screening and follow-up services help children maximize their abilities and prevent new problems from occurring in the future.

The preschool developmental screening program staff provides systematic and effective early screening services to children who ordinarily would not have the resources or access to these services. In 1996, the source of preschool developmental screening program staff funding was converted from the state general fund to federal Title V funding after all state programs received state funding cuts. Currently, a Title V Block Grant funds preschool developmental screening program staff positions, but the level of funding has not kept up with inflation, payroll increases for collective bargaining, and increases in fringe benefit costs. The department of health's family health services division intends to implement its long term plan to delete direct service programs from Title V funding to work within the constraints of its federal allocation. Converting the funding source of preschool developmental screening program staff positions back to the state general fund will allow the preschool developmental screening program to continue to provide vital developmental screening services to young children.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $260,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for five permanent state-funded positions for a preschool developmental screening program to allow the program to continue to provide services to young children.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

PART II

SECTION 4. The family health services division aims to ensure that all families, women, men, pregnant women, parents, infants, children, children with special health needs, and adolescents receive quality prevention and intervention services based on their individual needs. A registered nurse is needed to administer and coordinate the programmatic aspects of the comprehensive primary care services program. There are clinical aspects related to the quality assurance reviews that require the knowledge and skills of a registered nurse. Currently, the family health services division hires an outside consultant for several of the clinical oversight activities for the department, but it is expensive and impracticable for the family health services division to continue to pay for an outside consultant that can only address a fraction of the responsibilities that a registered nurse on staff can provide.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $60,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of health family health services division to hire and maintain on its staff a permanent state-funded registered nurse V position to administer and coordinate the programmatic aspects of the comprehensive primary care services program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

SECTION 6. The department of health has an important role in family violence prevention which continues to be an escalating and complex public health problem. Family violence includes domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, bullying, stalking, and child abuse and neglect. The maternal and child health branch is responsible for comprehensive violence prevention programs that address protecting children and their families.

Currently, this branch needs a planner who will be responsible for building the family violence prevention agenda and engaging staff and stakeholders in this process. The planner will also be responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating family violence prevention strategies and interventions; developing and supporting policies, regulations, and legislation; and initiating and supporting coalitions and partnerships that support these efforts.

SECTION 7. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $41,500 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the maternal and child health branch to hire and maintain on its staff a qualified individual (planner IV position) to be responsible for building the family violence prevention agenda and engaging staff and stakeholders in the process.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

PART IV

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	204
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII