MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR EDUCATION.

Authorizes an emergency appropriation ($41,247,070) for fiscal year 2000-2001 for Felix consent decree requirements.

relating to school health.

Establishes a comprehensive school health system that promotes the healthy development of all students and a comprehensive school health demonstration program. Convenes a joint planning committee to coordinate a phased implementation of the demonstration program.

relating to education.

Adds new section to Chapter 302A, HRS, Felix class children, and defines the terms applicable to these children.

relating to felix consent decree.

Requires 3 groups to administer the program for Felix class children to determine eligibility, perform diagnosis, and to monitor; requires 10% of each appropriation to be set aside to reassess Felix children; appropriation to auditor to follow-up students aging out of Felix class.

RELATING TO THE FELIX CONSENT DECREE.

Enacts legislation implementing recommendations of the state auditor to establish a working definition of the Felix class, to adopt a best practices approach for designing and funding programs, and establish a credible and independent capacity to evaluate services and programs provided to children in Hawaii.

making an appropriation for the Community Children's Council Office.

Appropriates money to the Community Children's Council Office to support the work of the Community Children's Councils and State Children's Council in implementing the Felix Consent Decree.

relating to autism.

Establishes the Hawaii autism center of excellence (center) within the University of Hawaii school of medicine; makes an appropriation.

relating to prisons.

Allows the governor to contract with the research corporation of the University of Hawaii to develop prison inmate housing facilities and rehabilitation programs; makes appropriation.

RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD.

Provides a means for early childhood screening when a child reaches the age of three.

Relating to early childhood education.

Establishes an office of early childhood education headed by the director of early childhood education. Requires the director to develop a plan for the establishment of a system of unversal access to early childhood care.

making an appropriation for bridge to hope program.

Extends $300,000 in 2000-2001 funding until June 30, 2002 and appropriates $300,000 for fiscal year 2002-2003, to be expended by the University of Hawaii for the Bridge to Hope program.

making an appropriation for the good beginnings alliance.

Appropriates $300,000 for Good Beginnings Alliance; requires matching funds from the private sector.

Relating to Family Support Centers.

Re-establishes the family center demonstration project.

RELATING TO AUTHORITY OF FOSTER PARENTS TO PROVIDE CONSENTS FOR THE FOSTER CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS.

Authorizes foster parents to sign school forms and recreational permission slips for their foster children who are under the Department's custody.

relating to nursing.

Establishes and appropriates moneys towards the Nursing Scholarship Program in order to satisfy the growing demand for nurses in the State.

relating to pesticides.

Requires the posting of signs when pesticide is applied on school grounds or a playground.

relating to student support services.

Transfers responsibility for all planning, programming, and budgeting decisions concerning members of the plaintiff class in Felix vs. Cayetano from the DOH to the DOE, beginning 7/1/01.

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES.

Authorizes an emergency appropriation ($7,217,390) to supplement the existing budget to provide early intervention services mandated by P.L. 105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, part C, and required for compliance with the Felix v. Cayetano revised consent decree filed August 3, 2000.

RELATING TO Special EDUCATION.

Requires the DOE to research the extent of the educational assistant shortfall, to train them to handle special education students, and to provide an educational assistant in each classroom with 4 or more special education students.

RELATING TO FOSTER BOARD ALLOWANCES FOR STUDENTS.

Clarifies that higher education board allowances are available to eligible persons who were formerly foster children.

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Senator David Matsuura

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Senator Norman Sakamoto