HI SR101

Urges county law enforcement agencies to monitor parks and other areas near schools during school hours to identify students who may be truant and enforce Hawaii's truancy law under section 302A-1132, HRS.

Cites truancy as a warning sign for delinquent activity, social isolation, educational failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of school.

Notes that high school dropouts cost the government more than $200,000 per person over a lifetime in government-funded social services compared to high school graduates.

References a 2008 Working Group on Truancy Rate Reduction that recommended collaboration between the Department of Education and law enforcement to reduce truancy rates.

Requires certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education and the chief of police of each county.