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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1420 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH PROGRAM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The purpose of this Act is to
make the safe spaces for youth pilot program a permanent program within the
office of youth services.
SECTION 2. Chapter 352D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§352D- Safe spaces. (a)
There is established within
the office of youth services a safe spaces for youth program, which shall
provide, subject to the availability of funds, safe spaces in each county for
youth and young adults experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
(b) The program shall collaborate with all
departments of the State and its political subdivisions that offer services for
the purpose of ensuring the well-being of youth and young adults in Hawaii,
including the department of education, the department of corrections and
rehabilitation, the department of health, department of human services, the
department of land and natural resources, the department of law enforcement,
the state office on homelessness and housing solutions, the county police
departments and other agencies, and the judiciary, to coordinate the
identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness, and
placement of these youth and young adults at a shelter for homeless youth or
young adults.
(c) The office of youth services may enter into
contracts with nonprofit organizations to provide services for youth or young
adults experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. Any nonprofit organization contracted under
this subsection shall have the knowledge, experience, and qualifications,
including licenses as needed for child caring institutions, and other
requirements to operate a shelter for youth or young adults at risk of
homelessness or who are experiencing homelessness. Youth under the age of eighteen shall not be
sheltered with young adults eighteen to twenty-four.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, a shelter for homeless youth contracted under subsection (c) may
admit a youth into the shelter's care for up to ninety days without the consent
of the youth's parent or guardian.
(e) The office shall submit a report pertaining
to the safe spaces for youth program to the legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of each regular session.
(f) The office
may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of
this section.
(g) For the purposes of this section:
"Shelter for homeless
youth" means a facility that operates to receive youth or young adults
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and provide youth or young adults
with services, including:
(1) Overnight lodging and supervision;
(2) Hot meals and hot showers;
(3) Access to medical and behavioral
health services; and
(4) Education and employment support."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
OYS; Safe Spaces for Youth Program; Homeless Youth and Young Adults; Shelter
Description:
Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with all state and county departments that offer services for youth and young adults to coordinate the identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and placement of these youth at a shelter for homeless youth or young adults. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires the Office of Youth Services to submit a report twenty days prior to the regular session of the Legislature.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.