Report Title:

DOE; District Ombudsman; State Child Serving Agencies; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes an ombudsman for each school district to address questions and concerns of interested parties with regard to the delivery of services by state child serving agencies.  Appropriates funds.  (SD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1095
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , 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 7.0 (FTE) ombudsman positions within the department of education to assure the delivery of quality services by state child serving agencies; provided that one ombudsman shall be hired for each school district.  Each ombudsman shall:

     (1)  Assist families in ensuring that their children are receiving state services that meet the needs of each child by helping to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the services being provided;

     (2)  Address questions and concerns of stakeholders and other interested parties with regard to the delivery of services by state child serving agencies;

     (3)  Investigate complaints from stakeholders or other members of the public against a department or child serving agency, or other organization;

     (4)  Work to resolve individual issues through problem solving with stakeholders; and

     (5)  Help to identify issues or policies within the system and develop solutions for implementation within the department of education.

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

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.