SB2791 Summary

• Establishes the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center within the Department of Human Services under the Office of Youth Services and Hawaii Youth Correctional Facilities to provide prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment services for youth at risk and young adults ages 18-24 at risk.

• Requires segregation of persons committed to Hawaii Youth Correctional Facilities from youth and young adults admitted to the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center.

• Designates delinquency prevention as a primary objective of the Kawailoa center and authorizes it to provide mental health services, substance abuse treatment, crisis shelters for homeless youth and trafficking victims, vocational training, group homes, day treatment, counseling, and educational services.

• Specifies that the Department of Education shall be the sole provider of standards-based education services for youth and young adults identified with special education needs or actively receiving special education services in accordance with federal law.

• Makes all referrals and admissions to youth services centers voluntary and extends eligibility for youth services to young adults at risk, in addition to youth in need of services.