| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a significant proportion of the individuals in the corrections and rehabilitation system have experienced serious trauma during their lifetimes. The legislature further finds that when corrections professionals are trained to properly assess and interact with persons who have experienced trauma, those professionals are better able to engage those individuals. As a result, these individuals are more likely to connect with vital services and experience improved rehabilitation and reduced rates of recidivism and less likely to commit disciplinary infractions. The legislature also finds that the establishment of a level I trauma-informed certification program may help to ensure that the State's corrections professionals are properly trained in trauma-informed care. A program certificate would require the completion of three courses, including a basic trauma-informed care course for adult corrections officers, especially those assigned to the women's community correctional facility. The trauma-informed care course would be based on an existing course implemented by windward community college for mental health technicians at Hawaii state hospital, which has already been proven successful. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the department of public safety to administer level I trauma-informed certification programs for adult corrections officers statewide. SECTION 2. 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 to the department of public safety to administer level I trauma-informed certification programs for adult corrections officers statewide. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a significant proportion of the individuals in the corrections and rehabilitation system have experienced serious trauma during their lifetimes. The legislature further finds when corrections professionals are trained to properly assess and interact with persons who have experienced trauma, those professionals are better able to engage those individuals. As a result, these individuals are more likely to connect with vital services, less likely to commit disciplinary infractions, and experience improved rehabilitation and reduced rates of recidivism. The legislature further finds that the establishment of a level I trauma-informed certification program may help to ensure that the State's corrections professionals are properly trained in trauma-informed care. Award of a program certificate would require the completion of three courses, including a basic trauma-informed care course for adult corrections officers, especially those assigned to the women's community correctional facility. The trauma-informed care course would be based on an existing course implemented by windward community college for mental health technicians at Hawaii state hospital, which has already been proven successful. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to windward community college to support a level I trauma-informed certification program for adult corrections officers. SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 to support a trauma-informed certification program for adult corrections officers at windward community college; provided that: (1) Courses shall be offered in eight-week or sixteen-week long blocks during the 2023-2024 academic year; (2) Eligible courses shall be offered to adult corrections officers employed by the department of public safety at no cost to the adult corrections officers; (3) The certificate shall require completion of a level I trauma-informed care course designed for adult corrections officers; and (4) Moneys appropriated may be used for instructor costs, tuition, supplies, books, any necessary class materials, speaker fees, travel for instructors to corrections facilities to provide skills-building workshops, and other expenses. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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