Report Title:

Sexual Abuse; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to provide treatment services for child victims of sexual abuse, including psychological treatment and case management services for child victims and their families. 

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1741
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to sexual abuse.

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

     SECTION 1.  In Hawaii, hundreds of children are sexually abused.  These cases are often the most difficult cases to manage and sexually abused children have the most difficult time accessing services and treatment.  A critical function of victim advocacy is to ensure that crime victims and supportive family members receive the support and intervention they need to remedy the effects of crime.  Victims and supportive family members who receive appropriate support are better able to cooperate with the criminal justice system, which enables the system to do its job more effectively and efficiently.  In addition, child sexual abuse is a crime that frequently results in serious long-term mental health problems for victims and their families.  The legislature finds that providing treatment services for child victims of sexual abuse is crucial in ameliorating these mental health problems.  Therefore, helping child sexual abuse victims receive the mental health treatment they need is an important component of victim advocacy and benefits both the children and their families.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for treatment services for child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse and sexually reactive children who are not covered under the child protective services system of the department of human services.  These services include, but are not limited to, psychological treatment and case management services for child victims and their families.  

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $208,000, 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, to provide treatment services for child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse and sexually reactive children who are not covered under the child protective services system of the department of human services, including, but not limited to, psychological treatment and case management services. 

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary via the children's justice center in accordance with chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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