Bill Text: HI SB858 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Afterschool Programs; Elementary-School Students; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-21 - Re-Referred to EDU/HMS, WAM. [SB858 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB858-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
858 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to afterschool programs for elementary school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in the United States, more than one-fourth of school-age children are left alone and unsupervised during after-school hours. The majority of these children are elementary and intermediate school students, who are at a time in life when various types of temptations surround them.
The legislature further finds that to counter such problems at the elementary school level in Hawaii, the afterschool plus (A+) program was created in 1990 to provide an avenue to keep elementary school students in a safe and nurturing environment from the time the school day ends until the time that these children are picked up by their families. Moreover, the legislature finds that the A+ program has been operating successfully for the past decade, with more than eighteen thousand elementary school students enrolled in A+ programs in more than one hundred eighty elementary schools statewide. Approximately two-thirds of A+ program sites are managed by independent contractors, such as the YMCA and Kamaaina Kids, and one-third are managed by department of education personnel.
The legislature further finds that for the past decade, an evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education program called Fun 5 has been operating successfully in nearly all of these locations as an integral part of the A+ program. The Fun 5 program provides training for all A+ program group leaders, the personnel who work directly with the children; supplies manuals and playground equipment; and provides hands-on instruction for physically active games and nutritional enlightenment.
In addition, the legislature finds that the Fun 5 program, which for many of its participants is the only organized physical activity that they experience in a day, has shown positive results in boosting the children's level of physical activity, reducing their rate of obesity, and increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables. These achievements are accomplished through a hands-on and enjoyable program that promotes five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and at least thirty minutes of active physical exercise five days per week.
The legislature further finds that the kind of physical and nutritional activities that exist in this evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education program are and should be an integral part of the A+ program. However, since the establishment of the Fun 5 program a decade ago, nearly all funding for this program has come from private donations, a situation which has become significantly more difficult to maintain and which has substantially diminished the potential impact of the program.
The legislature further finds that the overall cost of operating the Fun 5 program averages approximately $1 per child per month, which covers the training activities and equipment replenishment requirements for after-school activities but not the data collection necessary to sustain the program. Given the vital importance of physical activity and healthy eating to optimal childhood development and obesity prevention, the legislature finds that it is essential that funding for an evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education program be institutionalized within the budget of the A+ program itself.
The purpose of this Act is to establish an evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education pilot program within the A+ program.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education's after-school plus program, the A+ program, an evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education pilot program. The pilot program shall provide regular physical exercise and nutritional education in a manner that promotes active participation as an integral part of the A+ program and that meets the State's goals for a healthy diet and adequate exercise. The pilot program shall be for five years, ending on June 30, 2020.
(b) Any funding for the pilot program shall be included within the A+ program budget and shall include funding for:
(1) Support for training of all A+ program coordinators and group leaders;
(2) Necessary playground equipment and nutritional tools;
(3) Collection of data for the pilot program; and
(4) Periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot program.
(c) The organization and management of training, data collection and management, and equipment replenishment for the pilot program shall be carried out by an independently-contracted private entity, under the supervision of the department of education.
(d) The department of education may establish participation fees within the A+ program in an amount sufficient to maintain the pilot program in all elementary schools operated by the department of education.
(e) The private entity independently contracted pursuant to subsection (c), in conjunction with the department of education, may seek funds from other public and private sources to supplement the costs of managing, expanding, and improving the pilot program.
(f) The department of education may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement this section.
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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purposes of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. 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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the payment of after-school plus program fees, including those for an evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education pilot program, for the children of families who are eligible for the temporary assistance for needy families program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Afterschool Programs; Elementary-School Students; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a five-year evidence-based physical-activity and nutritional-education pilot program within the A+ Program in Hawaii's public elementary schools. Makes appropriations.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
