HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1100
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to youth mentorship.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Pacific Islander students are underserved and underrepresented in higher education and top careers. Recent studies show that Pacific Islanders experience a higher level of income inequality than any other racial group in the United States. Only eighteen per cent of Pacific Islander adults have a bachelor's degree, and many families live below the poverty line. Fewer than one in five Pacific Islander students meets the benchmarks in all four subject areas of the ACT exam, and many struggle with college and career readiness.

The legislature recognizes the need to close these income and achievement gaps by assisting Pacific Islander youth in meeting their academic and professional goals.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the office of youth services to develop a pilot program to mentor and assist Pacific Islander students.

SECTION 2. (a) The office of youth services shall establish a pilot program to offer mentors to Pacific Islander students in high school and college.

(b) The office of youth services may partner with private nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this Act.

(c) Mentors shall provide advice and guidance relevant to the mentee's academic and professional goals and shall focus on assisting mentees in the following areas:

(1) College and career readiness;

(2) Personal development and relationship building; and

(3) Cultural and community engagement.

(d) The office of youth services shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022 that shall include:

(1) An assessment of the success of the pilot program;

(2) An assessment of the feasibility of extending mentorship services to high school and college students statewide; and

(3) Any other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

(e) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2023.

SECTION 3. The office of youth services shall add one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position for a youth pilot program coordinator.

SECTION 4. 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 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the office of youth services to develop a youth mentorship pilot program for Pacific Islander students.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

OYS; Youth Mentorship; Pacific Islanders; Pilot Program

Description:

Requires the office of youth services to establish a pilot program to offer mentorship services to Pacific Islander students in high school and college. Establishes 1 FTE position for a youth pilot program coordinator. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates moneys.

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