THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2071

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the department of education.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that providing mental health and well-being support plays a pivotal role in addressing the diverse and complex psychological needs of students, offering crucial support that extends beyond traditional academic needs.  Within the evolving landscape of education, mental health support has become an integral part of a holistic system nurturing the development of the State's keiki.  Access to mental health and well-being support enables early identification and intervention for students experiencing mental health issues and creates a positive ripple effect on the overall school environment and student outcomes.  Furthermore, these resources are an investment in the future of the State, ensuring that Hawaii's students excel academically and thrive emotionally and socially.

     Presently, the department of education uses the panorama education platform to survey students.  Ensuring that the department of education has a platform to include social-emotional surveys and maintains a centralized database that captures student data around academics, attendance, behavior, mental health, and social-emotional learning needs will allow for a single-entry point well-being management system that promotes common documentation and progress monitoring for all students.  Early identification of mental health issues reported in the surveys will also allow for the creation of interventions to mitigate the reported problems or common issues.

     The legislature further finds that maintaining and upgrading the department of education's trust circle mobile platform, a downloaded application used on a mobile device, would provide broader mental health and well-being support access.  The cellular mobile platform's ability to offer support anonymously and on a student's terms removes barriers to seeking support when needed.  Additionally, the trust circle cellular mobile platform addresses the potential consequences of overlooking students who may require assistance but remain outside existing referral channels.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education to:

     (1)  Enhance and sustain the use of a platform that includes social-emotional surveys and a centralized database that captures student academic, attendance, behavior, mental health, and social-emotional learning needs; and

     (2)  Upgrade and maintain the trust circle mobile platform or create a similar platform.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the enhancement of the department of education's panorama education platform and trust circle mobile platform, or similar platforms, that provide support for mental and social-emotional health.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOE; Mental Health; Social-Emotional Health; Mobile Platforms; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to enhance the Department's mobile platforms that provide student mental health and social-emotional health support.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. 

 

 

 

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