SB2737

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2737
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation for asset building.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to the National Council on Disabilities, forty-four per cent of temporary assistance for needy families benefit recipients are individuals with disabilities. Further, almost twenty per cent of temporary assistance for needy families benefit recipients are the parents of a child with a disability. There exists a critical need to coordinate services for temporary assistance for needy families benefit recipients to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities along with the needs of those for whom learning continues to be a lifelong struggle.

The legislature further finds that there is a need in Hawaii to work toward establishing linkages and strengthening existing ties between different services for teens with disabilities. This should include services that young parents can use while they are teenagers that would facilitate their transition to adulthood, such as vocational rehabilitation services. The legislature finds there is a need to tap temporary assistance for needy families funds to create interagency linkages that are designed to help teens meet the temporary assistance for needy families rules, such as, coordination between school systems and agencies that provide disability services. Temporary assistance for needy families funds can also help to provide service supports. For example, as explicitly described in federal temporary assistance for needy families guidance, a teen parent who receives supplemental security income might be provided child care or transportation through temporary assistance for needy families.

Some individuals with disabilities require program modifications and support services to participate in and benefit from education and training programs. Hawaii must work toward assisting these individuals so that they may fulfill temporary assistance for needy families work requirements. The need for adequate screening and assessment is particularly acute for applicants and recipients with disabilities, as it is unlikely that disabilities will be identified and appropriate program placements and supports will be provided without it.

The State should provide access to the expertise to serve as a resource center to assist individuals with disabilities who are unable to navigate the existing benefits application processes or procedures for challenging sanctions and ensure the skills and experience to further assist those who are unable to participate in work requirements or who need exemptions from work requirements.

SECTION 2. The department of human services shall establish a three-year pilot project, beginning with fiscal year 2008-2009, to conduct and expand asset building classes statewide to serve individuals with disabilities and parents of children with a disability in developing skills in:

(1) Linkages with existing community resources;

(2) Assessment and training on assistive technology;

(3) Career exploration; and

(4) Basic computer literacy.

The department of human services may enter into contracts pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of human services to establish a three-year pilot project, beginning with fiscal year 2008-2009, to conduct and expand asset building classes statewide to serve individuals with disabilities and parents of children with a disability in developing skills.

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.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________