THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2595
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to early intervention services.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 321-352, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§321-352  Early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs. (a)  The department may develop a statewide, coordinated, multidisciplinary program which contains a continuum of services to meet the needs of infants and toddlers with special needs.  The department shall be the lead agency for the coordination of federal and state funding for those programs.  Pursuant to chapter 103F, the department may purchase services appropriate to carry out activities under this part.

(b)  The department shall develop and establish a family cost participation schedule of monthly cost participation fees for early intervention services.  The fees shall not be charged for services to be provided to the family at no cost as established in part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. section 1431 et seq.).  The fee schedule shall consist of a sliding scale for families with an annual gross income not less than two hundred per cent of the federal poverty guideline, and shall be adjusted for the level of annual gross income, household size, and financial hardship.  The department shall adopt procedures for suspending services based on a failure to satisfy family cost participation obligations.  All sums collected from family cost participation shall be deposited into the early intervention special fund, pursuant to section 321-355.

(c)  The department may develop a program to offer early intervention services for children who are ineligible for services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  These services shall be offered on a fee-for-service basis.  Pursuant to chapter 103F, the department may purchase services appropriate to carry out activities under this subsection."

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-355, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The fund shall consist of grants, fees, and income earned by the special fund.  [All] Fees received from family cost participation and all program income consisting of federal reimbursement funds received by the State for early intervention funded by legislative appropriations under this part shall be deposited into the special fund; provided that no state appropriations shall be deposited into the special fund."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Health; Early Intervention Services; Fees

Description:

Requires the department of health to develop and establish a family cost participation schedule of monthly cost participation fees for early intervention services.  Authorizes the department to offer early intervention services on a fee-for-service basis for children who are ineligible for services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.