HB 627: RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that state funding for school security is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff.  By investing in security measures, the State can create safer learning environments that promote academic achievement and reduce anxiety.  Ultimately, state funding for school security is a proactive step to protect our schools and ensure that students can focus on learning without fear.

     The legislature further finds that funding is critically needed for school safety measures, including active threat response training, hazardous material disposal contracts, school safety equipment, threat assessment and reporting, and fire safety.

     The department of education requires the following positions to implement and maintain school safety measures:

     (1)  A targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager, who will:

          (A)  Create and execute the statewide behavior threat assessment and management framework to align with the Hawaii targeted violence prevention strategy and implementation plan and to establish guidelines, protocols, and procedures across all schools; and

          (B)  Liaison with the office of homeland security, university of Hawaii, threat team Hawaii, forensic psychology experts, and other organizations; and

     (2)  A fire safety and security technology program manager, who will:

          (A)  Be responsible for planning, executing, and delivering fire safety and security technological initiatives and programs across the department;

          (B)  Ensure schools meet fire safety standards to pass annual fire safety inspections; and

          (C)  Assist schools with the installation and maintenance of their fire alarm systems.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.

     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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the following positions to implement and maintain school safety measures:

     (1)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager; and

     (2)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) fire safety and security technology program manager.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOE; School Safety, Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to school safety.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that state funding for school security is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff.  By investing in security measures, the State can create safer learning environments that promote academic achievement and reduce anxiety.  Ultimately, state funding for school security is a proactive step to protect our schools and ensure that students can focus on learning without fear.

     The legislature further finds that funding is critically needed for school safety measures, including active threat response training, hazardous material disposal contracts, school safety equipment, threat assessment and reporting, and fire safety.

     The department of education requires the following positions to implement and maintain school safety measures:

     (1)  Targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager, who will:

          (A)  Create and execute the statewide behavior threat assessment and management framework to align with the Hawaii targeted violence prevention strategy and implementation plan and to establish guidelines, protocols, and procedures across all schools; and

          (B)  Liaison with the office of homeland security, university of Hawaii, threat team Hawaii, forensic psychology experts, and other organizations; and

     (2)  Fire safety and security technology program manager, who will:

          (A)  Be responsible for planning, executing, and delivering fire safety and security technological initiatives and programs across the department;

          (B)  Ensure schools meet fire safety standards to pass annual fire safety inspections; and

          (C)  Assist schools with the installation and maintenance of their fire alarm systems.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $15,800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the following positions to implement and maintain school safety measures:

     (1)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) fire safety and security technology program manager.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOE; School Safety, Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  851

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 627

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 627, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Department of Education; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and two individuals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 627, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  342

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 627

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 627 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education for positions to implement and maintain school safety measures.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Fire Department; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that funding is critically needed for school safety measures, including active threat response training, hazardous material disposal contracts, school safety equipment, threat assessment and reporting, and fire safety.  Your Committee further finds that state funding for school safety measures is a proactive step to protect schools in the State and ensure that students can focus on learning without fear.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount appropriated and amount of positions to be funded to unspecified amounts;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $15,800,000 for one targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and one fire safety and security technology program manager to implement and maintain school safety measures.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 627, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 627, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,