Hawaii House Bill HCR193

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education To Conduct A Study Evaluating The Feasibility Of Expanding The Jurisdiction Of All Public Schools To Include A Quarter-mile Radius Surrounding Each School.

Impact

If implemented, HCR193 would allow school officials to intervene and discipline students for incidents occurring outside the traditional boundaries of the school, specifically within a quarter-mile radius. This expansion of jurisdiction would enhance the school's capacity to provide a safe educational environment, addressing issues that affect students' ability to learn and thrive. The resolution emphasizes the right of youth to be free from bullying and violence, highlighting the importance of addressing these concerns more broadly.

Summary

HCR193 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii in 2024. The resolution requests the Department of Education to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the jurisdiction of public schools to include a quarter-mile radius surrounding each school. This is in response to concerns regarding bullying and safety for students both on and off school grounds. It underscores the need for a secure environment conducive to learning and the establishment of parameters for school administration authority in areas surrounding the campus.

Contention

Debate over the feasibility and implications of this resolution may center around issues of authority and practical implementation. Some may argue that expanding the jurisdiction of schools could overextend their reach and interfere with community or parental roles in managing youth behavior off-campus. Others may raise concerns about the necessity of such measures and their effectiveness in reducing instances of bullying and violence, questioning how the boundaries will be enforced and what resources would be needed to support this expanded jurisdiction. The resolution also indicates that the Department of Education will report findings and recommendations by the convening of the Regular Session of 2025, illustrating a commitment to legislative oversight on the matter.