Jan

27

Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces “Caylee’s Law”

Human Services / Judiciary & Labor / Press Releases

HONOLULU—In reaction to the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz has introduced a measure that would make it a felony for a parent or guardian who fails to report a missing child 12 years old or younger within 48 hours to a law enforcement agency.  The bill, Senate Bill 2275, is being referred to as “Caylee’s Law.”

The disappearance of Florida girl Caylee Anthony sparked public debate and outrage across the country. Casey Anthony, the mother of Caylee, did not report the child’s disappearance for about a month after her disappearance.

“This bill focuses on protecting Hawaii’s keiki by ensuring that greater accountability and responsibility be placed on parents and guardians to report a missing child in a timely manner,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who represents District 22, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale‘iwa, Mokule‘ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea. “My office received a large of number emails requesting that something be done to prevent such future instances.”

The bill would also impose a duty on parents and guardians to report the death of a child or the location of a child’s corpse to law enforcement agency within 2 hours of discovery. Failure to do so would result in a felony.


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Nov

16

Informational Briefing on Office of Youth Services

Articles / Human Services

On November 16, 2011 the Office of Youth Services (OYS) provided an update on the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) consent decree in a joint briefing before the Senate and House Committees on Human Services.

Background:
OYS provides and coordinates a continuum of services and programs for youth-at-risk to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism. Although a core responsibility of the OYS is to manage and operate the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), the agency places great emphasis on providing and supporting “front end” prevention, diversion, and intervention services.

In 2003, the American Civil Liberties Union called public attention to the abusive conditions at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF). To avoid a lawsuit, which would have been instituted by the U.S. Attorney General, the State of Hawaii entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in February 2006. In the MOA, the State agreed to comply with 64 substantive remedial measures as outlined in the MOA. From 2006 through 2010, the State’s progress in remediating the issues identified in the MOA was evaluated regularly by monitors contracted by the DOJ. In a letter dated May 11, 2011 from the DOJ to the State’s Department of the Attorney General, the State was advised that the DOJ had closed their investigation of the conditions of confinement at HYCF.

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Jul

27

Informational Briefing on Medicaid to be Held at State Capitol

Articles / Hearing Schedule Archive / Human Services

(Honolulu) – The State House and Senate Committees on Human Services will be holding a joint informational briefing to receive updates from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Med QUEST Division on some changes being proposed and/or implemented by DHS as they relate to Medicaid programs. Members of the public are also invited to attend the hearing regarding any issues that may have arisen or may need attention in the provision of health services covered by Medicaid.

The Informational Briefing will be held on Friday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 329, at the State Capitol.

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, said “We hope local residents will show up at the hearing to listen to these changes that could impact Medicaid, and to express their ideas and comments directly to the their legislators and the Human Services people who administer Medicaid.”

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