HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2115

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to safety.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that our public schools have been marred by a series of disturbing incidents that have jeopardized the safety and well-being of our children and educators.  In November 2022, Waikoloa elementary and intermediate school was placed on lockdown due to an armed individual on campus.  In October 2023, Waianae high school and castle high school were forced to cancel a football game due to credible gun threats.  In December 2023, Nanakuli high school reported an afterhours armed robbery.  In January 2024, Waimanalo elementary and intermediate school went on lockdown due to a report about an armed individual on campus.

     The legislature further finds that these incidents are not isolated events but represent a growing trend of violence and disruption within the State's public schools.  Such threats undermine the very foundation of education, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety that impedes learning and jeopardizes the future of Hawaii's children.

     The purpose of this Act is to ensure the protection of the children of the State by requiring the department of education to hire school resource officers at every department school and every charter school.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     School safety; school resource officers; guards.  (a)  The department shall assign school resource officers or guards registered pursuant to chapter 463 to serve at each department school and charter school during hours when students are expected to be on the school campus.  In determining the number of officers or guards that shall be assigned to each department school and charter school, the department shall consider:

     (1)  The size of the school campus;

     (2)  The number of students in the school; and

     (3)  Other factors relevant to student safety.

     (b)  The department shall seek federal grants to the extent necessary for the costs relating to the hiring of school resource officers and registered guards."

     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 2024-2025 for the provision of school resource officers and guards at department school and charter school.

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

     SECTION 4.  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 H.B. No.    , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  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 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DOE; Schools; Children; Resource Officers; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at each department school and charter school.  Requires the Department of Education to seek funding from federal grants.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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