THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

398

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1) Require the department of human services to collect and analyze data to determine the impact of expanding post-permanency services to families receiving benefits from the adoption assistance program and report its findings and recommendation to the legislature before the convening of the regular session of 2025; and

     (2) Appropriate funds to the department of human services for the procurement of contracted services to provide additional support, resources, and monitoring of families receiving benefits from the State's adoption assistance program for the purposes of assisting with family strengthening and the maintenance of a safe home environment for adopted children.

     SECTION 2.  The department of human services shall collect and analyze data to determine the impact of expanding post‑permanency services to families receiving benefits from the adoption assistance program and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the procurement of contracted services to provide additional support, resources, and monitoring of families receiving benefits from the State's adoption assistance program for the purposes of assisting with family strengthening and the maintenance of a safe home environment for adopted children, to be expended as follows:

     (1)  $           for the development and maintenance of necessary information technology systems, including the establishment of      full time equivalent (     FTE) positions;

     (2)  $           to increase compensation to fill vacancies and retain employees in existing child welfare services branch investigator, case manager, and social worker positions; provided that any increase in compensation shall be subject to collective bargaining with the objective of expeditiously filling all vacancies;

     (3)  $           for the department of human services to contract with a third-party for enhanced permanency support services, including additional training for resource caregivers, wellness visits within a year of adoption or guardianship of children formerly in foster care, respite care, and enhanced supportive services to assist with family strengthening and maintenance of a safe home environment for adopted children; and

     (4)  $           for the establishment of one full time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner or project specialist position to administer and monitor additional service contracts and assist with additional service coordination, data collection, and analysis of the new program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050; provided that section 3 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Human Services; Adoption; Adoption Assistance Program; Post-Permanency Services; Report; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to collect and analyze data to determine the impact of expanding post-permanency services to families receiving benefits from the adoption assistance program and report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 12/31/2050.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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