Hawaii House Bill HCR34

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/10/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education To Assess And Report To The Legislature Whether And To What Extent Existing Curriculum And Training Align With Erin's Law.

Impact

If enacted, the resolution would require the Department of Education to provide detailed findings to the Legislature, including any necessary recommendations or proposed legislative changes. This assessment process is crucial as it would spotlight both the effectiveness of existing programs and areas needing improvement to meet the mandates of Erin's Law. By submitting a report on the extent of alignment, schools can be better equipped to implement effective prevention strategies against child sexual abuse.

Summary

HCR34 seeks to enhance child safety education in the state of Hawaii by requesting the Department of Education to evaluate how well current curricula and training relate to Erin's Law. This law mandates the inclusion of a child sexual abuse prevention program in schools, focusing on teaching students how to recognize abuse, along with informing school personnel and parents about warning signs. The introduction of this resolution highlights the urgency of ensuring that educational institutions are aligned with the growing recognition of child safety issues.

Contention

While HCR34 is generally seen as a proactive step towards improving child safety, discussions around its implementation may reveal underlying contentions regarding resource allocations, curriculum changes, and the extent of collaboration needed with advocacy groups. Stakeholders might debate the sufficiency of existing programs against the more comprehensive demands of Erin's Law, potentially leading to discussions about financial support or legislative follow-up actions necessary to fulfill the resolution's objectives.