Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB1543 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1543 THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to social work. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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3	3	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1543
4	4	THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
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7	7	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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9	9	H.B. NO.
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13	13	THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
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17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
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31	31	A BILL FOR AN ACT
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37	37	relating to social work.
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43	43	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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47	47	SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State is facing a shortage of social workers to help people in the State manage their mental health and cope with stressors in their everyday lives. This shortage is of concern as social workers already have full caseloads and may be unable to provide additional services, which may in turn intensify the need for help and increase burnout among social workers. The demand for social workers will likely continue to rise, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, and other mental health challenges will need social workers' support to address difficult or stressful life situations. The legislature further finds that some nonviolent incarcerated individuals may have experienced the need for social services or may have firsthand experience receiving services from social workers that make them uniquely qualified to enter the field of social work as assistants after undergoing training. The legislature also finds that to address the shortage of social workers and lack of social services in the State, providing social work training to nonviolent incarcerated individuals can help these individuals reintegrate into society once their period of incarceration is over. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, to develop and establish a program to train incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work. SECTION 2. Chapter 353H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§353H- Incarcerated individuals; social work training program; established. (a) The department shall develop and establish a program, in collaboration with the department of human services, to train incarcerated nonviolent misdemeanants and petty misdemeanants in the area of social work to become eligible for employment as assistants to licensed social workers or individuals on a pathway to be a licensed social worker. (b) The department may coordinate with accredited institutions of higher education, private entities, and nonprofit organizations to provide training to participating individuals in the area of social work. (c) The department shall establish rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section." SECTION 3. The department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, shall prepare a report on their progress in developing and establishing the program pursuant to section 2 of this Act and shall submit the report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2023 and 2024. 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 2022-2023 for the development and establishment of a program to train certain incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work pursuant to this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2022. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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49	49	SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State is facing a shortage of social workers to help people in the State manage their mental health and cope with stressors in their everyday lives. This shortage is of concern as social workers already have full caseloads and may be unable to provide additional services, which may in turn intensify the need for help and increase burnout among social workers. The demand for social workers will likely continue to rise, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, and other mental health challenges will need social workers' support to address difficult or stressful life situations.
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51	51	The legislature further finds that some nonviolent incarcerated individuals may have experienced the need for social services or may have firsthand experience receiving services from social workers that make them uniquely qualified to enter the field of social work as assistants after undergoing training. The legislature also finds that to address the shortage of social workers and lack of social services in the State, providing social work training to nonviolent incarcerated individuals can help these individuals reintegrate into society once their period of incarceration is over.
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53	53	Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, to develop and establish a program to train incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work.
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55	55	SECTION 2. Chapter 353H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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57	57	"§353H- Incarcerated individuals; social work training program; established. (a) The department shall develop and establish a program, in collaboration with the department of human services, to train incarcerated nonviolent misdemeanants and petty misdemeanants in the area of social work to become eligible for employment as assistants to licensed social workers or individuals on a pathway to be a licensed social worker.
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59	59	(b) The department may coordinate with accredited institutions of higher education, private entities, and nonprofit organizations to provide training to participating individuals in the area of social work.
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61	61	(c) The department shall establish rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."
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63	63	SECTION 3. The department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, shall prepare a report on their progress in developing and establishing the program pursuant to section 2 of this Act and shall submit the report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2023 and 2024.
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65	65	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 2022-2023 for the development and establishment of a program to train certain incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work pursuant to this Act.
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67	67	The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.
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69	69	SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
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71	71	SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2022.
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75	75	INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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77	77	INTRODUCED BY:
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79	79	_____________________________
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85	85	Report Title: Department of Public Safety; Department of Human Services; Social Work; Training; Incarcerated Nonviolent Individuals; Appropriation Description: Requires the department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, to develop and establish a program to train incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work. Requires progress reports on the program to the legislature. Appropriates funds. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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91	91	Report Title:
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93	93	Department of Public Safety; Department of Human Services; Social Work; Training; Incarcerated Nonviolent Individuals; Appropriation
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97	97	Description:
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99	99	Requires the department of public safety, in collaboration with the department of human services, to develop and establish a program to train incarcerated nonviolent individuals in the area of social work. Requires progress reports on the program to the legislature. Appropriates funds.
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107	107	The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.