SB3193

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3193
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to after-school programs.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's public school students spend their youth in preschool to elementary, intermediate, and secondary education. The core curriculum include the basic three "Rs" of reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as science, history, social studies, and computer courses. However, the current curriculum is also lacking in fine arts education, including knowledge and the practices of Hawaii's rich multicultural arts, music, dance, health, wellness, physical fitness activities, and physical sciences. The legislature believes that Hawaii's students, and ultimately Hawaii's families and the community-at-large, will greatly benefit from the establishment of an after-school program designed to specifically address these areas by providing students with a more well-rounded, enriched learning experience that will spark in our students motivation, enthusiasm for learning special interests and skills, and individual artistic creativity and scientific ingenuity through exposure to fine arts education.

The purpose of this Act is to establish the pono-plus program to provide after-school supervision and exposure to fine arts, science, and sports and fitness education to students in Hawaii's public schools.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A‑ Pono-plus program; established. (a) There is established within the department the pono-plus program for public elementary, intermediate, and high school-aged children, which shall be conducted statewide, on weekdays, excluding holidays, beginning after school until six o'clock in the evening, and shall utilize public school grounds and facilities. The pono-plus program shall be voluntary and shall not be part of the compulsory educational services provided by the State. The program shall provide supervision to young children who would otherwise be unsupervised during after-school hours as well as fine arts, science, and sports and fitness education.

(b) The department shall establish eligibility requirements for participation in the program, and any other necessary rules, pursuant to chapter 91, that may include whether a child is an at-risk student or without an adult presence in the home after school hours.

(c) The department shall establish public and private partnerships with, including but not limited to, the state foundation on the culture and arts, the county departments of parks and recreation, sports leagues, private schools offering arts, crafts, music, dance, and drama courses, and retired professionals to pass on special knowledge and skills to the participating students.

(d) The department shall establish a program curriculum to provide experiences for children that shall include exposure to and education on the fine arts, sciences, and sports and fitness fields. The program may include various components, including enrichment, coordination and physical development, and character development."

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 the pono-plus program established pursuant to this Act.

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

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________