Report Title:

Domestic Violence Shelters; Appropriation

Description:

Makes appropriation for emergency domestic violence shelters.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1209
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EMERGENCY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State needs to continue to fund emergency domestic violence shelters in order to provide safe havens for women and their children made homeless due to domestic violence.  The rate of domestic violence continues to increase, becoming one of the most significant social problems facing the State of Hawaii.  According to the statistics provided by the Domestic Violence Clearing House and Legal Hotline, the Honolulu Police Department, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in a population of approximately one million people there is one death per month due to domestic violence.  Statewide, shelters serve approximately 1,000 adults and 1,100 children per year. 

     In response to the need to fund emergency domestic violence shelters statewide, state moneys from the general fund provided funding beginning in 2004.  The moneys awarded to each of the service areas, Kauai, Oahu:  Leeward, Windward and Honolulu, Maui including Lanai, Molokai and the Island of Hawaii (East and West) since 2004 has remained fixed although the cost of conducting business has increased severely in the State.  Each of the eight shelters is forced to pay the increased expenses with the award given in 2004.  Statewide, the shelters are experiencing financial difficulties.    

     Shelters find that individual consumer needs have increased dramatically since 2004.  Families and individuals currently entering shelter placement are affected by an inclusive menu of issues, including substance use and addiction, mental health, child abuse and neglect, homelessness, loss of income, lack of employable skills, lack of parenting skills, and lack of medical and dental care.  The needs of the consumer have impacted service delivery.  Domestic violence advocates must be thoroughly trained to meet the varying needs of the consumer base so that the consumer may move from shelter placement to a non-abusive living environment.  In order for this to be accomplished, additional moneys must be allocated to meet the varying needs.  Statewide shelters are finding it more and more difficult to provide a high standard of service that will assist the consumer’s move towards stabilization. 

     The legislature finds that without additional funding,  statewide emergency domestic violence shelters cannot meet the needs of the community.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for emergency domestic violence shelters.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $762,500, 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 support of eight statewide emergency domestic violence shelters, as follows in each fiscal year:

     (1)  Windward Oahu                     $160,000

     (2)  Leeward Oahu and Honolulu         $125,000

     (3)  Molokai                           $62,500

     (4)  Maui                              $115,000

     (5)  Kauai                             $150,000

     (6)  East Hawaii                       $62,500

     (7)  West Hawaii                       $87,500.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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