| 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 corrections professionals who are trained to properly assess and interact with persons who have experienced trauma are better able to engage these persons. As a result, these persons are more likely to connect with vital services, less likely to commit disciplinary infractions, and tend to 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 center. The trauma-informed care course would be based upon an existing course implemented by Windward community college for mental health technicians at Hawaii state hospital, and thus 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 in the State. 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 support a level I trauma-informed certification program at Windward community college for adult corrections officers; 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 at no cost to adult corrections officers employed by the department of public safety; (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 by instructors to correctional 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, 2050. |
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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. |
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