Bill Text: HI SB2386 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2386 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Education; Child Abuse and Neglect; Signs; Child Welfare Services; Department of Human Services

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-12 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [SB2386 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2386-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2386
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to child abuse.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that increasing the access and visibility of a hotline number designed to help children who are the victims of abuse and neglect will increase the number of reports of abuse and neglect and allow students and victims to self-report. Based on the accounts of abused and neglected children, it is evident that teachers are always not able to recognize students who are being molested, abused, or neglected. Increasing the visibility of and access to the child abuse or neglect hotline and other related information will allow children get the help they desperately need.

The purpose of this Act is to require Department of Education schools and charter schools to post signs that include the child abuse or neglect hotline in highly visible, high traffic locations to encourage students who are victims of abuse and neglect to seek help and let them know there are resources to help them in their tragic situation.

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

"§302A- Child abuse or neglect hotline; posting. (a) Each department school and charter school governed by chapter 302D, shall post in a clearly visible location, in a public area of the school that is readily accessible to students, a sign that contains the department of human services child abuse or neglect hotline.

(b) The director of human services, in consultation with the superintendent, may adopt requirements relating to the size and location of the sign required by subsection (a); provided that at a minimum:

(1) The director shall decide what languages, besides English, the sign shall be translated into to best reach the targeted audiences;

(2) The language on the sign shall be in large font and shall be clear, simple, and understandable to students;

(3) The sign shall contain the current phone number for child abuse or neglect hotline and the number shall be in bold print;

(4) The sign shall be eleven inches by seventeen inches or larger;

(5) The sign shall be posted in a high traffic location and at eye level of the students;

(6) The sign shall contain instructions to call 911 for emergencies; and

(7) The sign shall contain directions for accessing the department of human services child welfare services website for more information on reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Education; Child Abuse and Neglect; Signs; Child Welfare Services; Department of Human Services

Description:

Requires Department of Education schools and charter schools to post informational signs that include the Department of Human Services phone number for reporting abuse and neglect.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.