Establishes a social work training program for nonviolent incarcerated individuals in Hawaii to help address the shortage of social workers.

The bill aims to tackle Hawaii's shortage of social workers by creating a training program for nonviolent incarcerated individuals. This program, developed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, will prepare these individuals to work as assistants to licensed social workers. The bill also mandates a joint report to the legislature in 2026 and 2027 on the program's progress and recommendations. Funding for the program is appropriated for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Establishes a social work training program for nonviolent incarcerated individuals in Hawaii to help address the shortage of social workers.

The bill aims to tackle Hawaii's shortage of social workers by creating a training program for nonviolent incarcerated individuals. This program, developed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, will prepare these individuals to work as assistants to licensed social workers. The bill also mandates a joint report to the legislature in 2026 and 2027 on the program's progress and recommendations. Funding for the program is appropriated for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.