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HB251
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
251
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to social work
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that Hawaii is
facing a shortage of social workers to help individuals in the State manage
their mental health and cope with stressors in their everyday lives.
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This shortage is concerning since social
workers already have full caseloads and may be unable to provide additional
services, which may in turn intensify the need for help and increase burnout
among social workers.
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The demand for
social workers will likely continue to rise because individuals experiencing
depression, anxiety, life transitions, and other mental health challenges will
need social workers' support to address difficult or stressful life situations.
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The
legislature further finds that some nonviolent incarcerated individuals may
have experienced the need for social services or may have firsthand experience
receiving services from social workers.
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These individuals may be uniquely qualified to enter the field of social
work as assistants after undergoing training.
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The legislature also finds that to address the shortage of social
workers and lack of social services in the State, providing social work
training to nonviolent incarcerated individuals may help these individuals
reintegrate into society once their period of incarceration is over.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Require the department of corrections and
rehabilitation, in collaboration with the department of human services, to
develop and establish a social work training program to assist nonviolent
incarcerated individuals in exploring a professional pathway in the practice of
social work and becoming eligible to work as assistants to licensed social
workers; and
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(2)
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Appropriate funds.
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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 353H, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
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�353H-
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Incarcerated individuals; social work
training program; established.
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(a)
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The department shall develop and establish a social work training program,
in collaboration with the department of human services, to assist nonviolent incarcerated
individuals in exploring a professional pathway in the practice of social work
and becoming eligible for employment as assistants to licensed social workers.
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(b)
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The department may coordinate with accredited institutions of higher
education, private entities, and nonprofit organizations to provide training in
social work to participating individuals.
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(c)
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The department shall establish rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement
this section.
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SECTION 3.
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The
department of corrections and rehabilitation
and department of human services shall jointly
submit a report of the departments' progress in developing and establishing the
social work training program pursuant to section 2 of this Act, along with
findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026
and 2027.
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SECTION
4.
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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 to develop and
establish a social work training program to assist certain nonviolent incarcerated
individuals in the area of social work pursuant to this Act.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the
department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
5.
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New statutory material is
underscored.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Department
of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Department of Human Services; Social Work;
Training Program; Nonviolent Incarcerated Individuals; Reports; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to
develop and establish a social work training program to assist nonviolent
incarcerated individuals in the area of social work.
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Requires progress reports on the program to
the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.