THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3102
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE FEELING SAFE, BEING SAFE program.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the feeling safe, being safe program at the University of Hawaii center on disability studies educates individuals with disabilities and their family members on how to prepare for natural disasters or emergency situations.  The program currently has fifty-three certified trainers and facilitators throughout the State and uses a "train-the-trainer" approach for sharing information with individuals in the program.  Trainers are persons with access and functional needs and eventually take a leadership role in the emergency management community by providing specific education to other self-advocates and their family members, first responders, volunteer organizations, and service providers.

     The legislature additionally finds that the feeling safe, being safe program bridges gaps between vulnerable populations and the emergency management community by including self-advocates in the emergency preparedness process and encouraging independence and resilience.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii center on disability studies for the continuation of the feeling safe, being safe program and to continue the advancement of the program results, including the following:

     (1)  Individuals with a disability are becoming self-reliant;

     (2)  Individual community members are taking personal responsibility for their own preparedness by creating personalized emergency kits and plans; and

     (3)  Individual self-advocates are taking leadership responsibilities within their community to train others in emergency preparedness and participate with agency personnel as members of the emergency response plan.

     SECTION 2.  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 2014-2015 for the continuation of the feeling safe, being safe program and to increase the program's outreach and awareness activities in the State.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii at Manoa center on disability studies for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Feeling Safe, Being Safe Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii center on disability studies for the continuation of the feeling safe, being safe program and increase the program's outreach and awareness activities in the State.

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