From Hawai'i Family Advocates Update 4-28-2016 

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Hawaii Family Forum Week in Review April 23 - 29, 2016

From Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Family Advocates

Bills Still Awaiting Conference Decisions

Click above to watch video.

SB 2886 CD1 which reduces barriers to accessing mental health services for minors by lowering the age of consent to receive treatment and services, other than prescription medication or out-of-home or residential treatment, from eighteen years of age to fourteen years. (CD1) is awaiting conference decision making.  Hawaii Family Advocates has strong concerns about this bill.  Although Duke Aiona has expressed understanding as to the "intent" of the bill, he states that the "standard (appropriate) for denying parental involvement is too vague and discretionary" and remains concerned about the lack of oversight in the bill.

HB 1902 SD1 replaces the term "promoting prostitution in the first degree" with the term "sex trafficking," as a class A felony and establish that prosecution is required to prove only that the person committing the offense of sex trafficking acted negligently if the person knowingly advanced or profited from prostitution of a minor.

Housing & Homelessness Wins Big $

Housing had a big win at the State Budget hearing on Thursday, April 28.   (HB 1700 SD1)

• $46.1 million ($36.6 million -- to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund plus $9.5 million -- transferred to the Rental Housing Revolving fund from another fund at the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation)
• $25.0 million Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund (DURF) for new construction
• $30.0  million – estimated revenue from the 50% of the conveyance tax that goes to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund

$101.6 million = TOTAL FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FY 2017!!!

On top of this, a few days ago, the Legislature also awarded a pool of money ($12 million) to DHS for homeless initiatives.   This was $3 million MORE than the Governor had requested!  The funding will cover all of Partner In Care's (PIC) priorities, including Housing First, Rapid Rehousing, Outreach (including street youths) and funding the HMIS data system.  The Governor’s Coordinator for Homelessness, Scott Morishige, will be meeting soon with Partners in Care to strategize how best to spend these funds.  Visit PIC Facebook here.

Online Petition for Target

From Family Policy Alliance (formerly Citizenlink):  Target announced a change in policy that allows men access to the women’s restrooms and changing rooms in their stores.  In a statement, the company said: “We welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.”   (Read More at Family Policy Alliance)

TAKE ACTION

1. Family Policy Alliance is sending a petition to Target telling them we “Expect more.” Click the link to sign the petition.
2. If you are concerned about this policy, call Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680 or post a note on their Facebook.

Voter Registration Cards Mailed

The Office of Elections have mailed out these voter registration cards to indicate that you are registered.  If you did not receive this card and are unsure if you are registered, contact the office of Elections.  If you are not registered to vote, you can do so online at this link.  Their office number is:  (808) 453-VOTE (8683)

On April 21, 2016, the Office of Elections held a drawing to decide the order of the political parties that will appear on voters’ primary election ballot. The positions of the state’s seven political party ballots – and an eighth nonpartisan ballot – will appear as follows on the 2016 primary ballot: Green Party of Hawaii, Non Partisan, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Independent Party, American Shopping Party, Constitution Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Republican Party, and Libertarian Party of Hawaii. By state law, the order in which the parties appear on the ballot is determined by random drawing.

The Primary Election is on Saturday, August 13, 2016 but you must be registered by July 14, 2016. Voters are eligible for late registration for the Primary Election at an early walk-in voting location (HRS §15-7)

Upcoming Events

Engage Your School (Peace Hawaii Webinar)

• May 3, 2016 (Tuesday) |  Sign up Online Here 9:00 - 9:55 p.m.

Prayer at the Capitol (Hosted by Hawaii Christian Coalition)

• May 5, 2016 (Thursday) 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium

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