Bill Text: HI HB1195 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Homelessness.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2017-04-27 - Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-28-17 9:05AM in conference room 229. [HB1195 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-HB1195-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1195 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to homelessness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has the highest rate per capita of homelessness of any state in the nation. Hawaii also has the highest rate per capita of chronically unsheltered homeless of any state. The 2016 point in time count found an estimated 7,921 people living on the streets and in shelters in Hawaii. These statistics indicate a four per cent increase overall in the total number of homeless and a twelve per cent increase in the number of unsheltered individuals and families since 2015.
The legislature also finds that addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach using interventions targeted to the particular characteristics of the population being served. The legislature believes that outreach is a critical part of this multi-faceted approach. A more strategic, coordinated outreach effort is needed to assertively serve the growing percentage of homeless persons who are not living in shelter programs. As the State and counties increase enforcement efforts in parks and public areas, outreach to homeless persons becomes even more significant. Outreach to the special populations of the mentally ill and substance abusers is also critical to ending homelessness. Programs such as the law enforcement assisted diversion pilot project assists unsheltered persons experiencing substance abuse for whom probable cause for arrest exists, by diverting these low-level offenders from booking and redirecting them to community-based treatment and support services.
The legislature further finds that unaccompanied homeless youth are often hard to locate and identify and are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Between 2000 and 2010, over thirty per cent of all juvenile detainments in Hawaii were for running away from home. Outreach is especially critical to help newly homeless youth navigate the social services system to find safe alternatives to homelessness. Youth service providers report that the number of homeless youth has been increasing each year. The legislature believes that the State needs to address youth homelessness to prevent these homeless youth from becoming homeless adults.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health and the department of human services, including the office of youth services, to provide homeless outreach services.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for outreach to homeless persons with serious and persistent mental illness.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for outreach, counseling, and diversion for homeless unsheltered persons experience substance abuse. The funding will include $200,000 for the law enforcement assisted diversion pilot project.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for additional outreach to homeless individuals and families with children.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for outreach to unaccompanied homeless youth.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services of the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for civil legal services for homeless persons.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Homelessness; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds to DOH and DHS, including the office of youth services, to provide homeless outreach services.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
