Report Title:

Appropriation; Survey; Blind, Deaf, and Deaf-Blind Persons

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for a comprehensive demographic survey of the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind community in the State of Hawaii.  (SD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2050

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE NUMBER OF BLIND, DEAF, AND DEAF-BLIND PERSONS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are no current, accurate statistics on the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind community in the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The department of human services shall conduct a comprehensive demographic survey of the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind community in Hawaii, including an evaluation of available services and a needs assessment.  The demographic data collected shall include specific breakdowns by island and county.  The department of human services may contract with a third party to conduct the survey, including the University of Hawaii; provided that any third party shall work in collaboration with the department of health and be assisted by the disability and communication access board in carrying out the survey.  "Blind" and "deaf" shall have the same meaning as in section 235-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act.

     The department of human services shall collaborate with the disability and communication access board to produce and submit the results of the survey to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

     SECTION 3.  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 2008-2009 for a comprehensive demographic survey of the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind community in the State, including an evaluation of available services and a needs assessment, and statistical breakdowns by island and county.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.