HB910

Report Title:

Youth Leadership Development Camps; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for community-based youth leadership development camps on all islands in the State. Appoints the state student council to oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of these camps.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	910
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature passed the landmark, Reinventing Education Act of 2004 with the purpose of enhancing the ability of Hawaii's public education system to "advance the endowment of human culture so that each succeeding generation finds itself further along the road towards peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability in a society guided by creativity, compassion, and curiosity."

Our younger generation must be better prepared to face the growing challenges of our society, which requires developing the skills needed to progress toward peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability, while guided by creativity, compassion, and curiosity. The basic skills required include the ability to:

(1) Understand and cooperate with all peoples and cultures; and

(2) Take active leadership roles in improving the conditions of the community and world-at-large.

The legislature finds that there is a need for forums where youth can learn and develop these skills together. Community-based youth leadership development camps provide such a forum by promoting teambuilding and civic awareness. These camps:

(1) Facilitate activities in which youth interact with other youth and adults to develop communication and interpersonal skills;

(2) Encourage youth to share ideas and practice shared decision-making;

(3) Increase awareness and knowledge of various community issues; and

(4) Increase active, responsible participation in the community using the acquired skills.

The purpose of this Act is to build upon the Reinventing Education Act of 2004 by appropriating funds for community-based youth leadership development camps on all islands in the state, and appointing the state student council to oversee their planning, implementation, and evaluation.

SECTION 2. The state student council shall oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of each community-based youth leadership development camp that receives funding pursuant to this Act.

The state student council shall submit a report of its evaluations of community-based youth leadership development camps that receive funding pursuant to this Act, to the respective education committees of the senate and the house of representatives at least twenty-one days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2006.

For the purposes of this section:

"Community-based youth leadership development camps" are camps that are facilitated by high school students for the purpose of promoting teambuilding and civic engagement in middle school youth.

SECTION 3. 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 2005-2006 for community-based youth leadership development camps to promote teambuilding and civic responsibility in youth.

The sum appropriated shall be expended equitably according to the need on each island by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________