Bill Text: HI HB1447 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Homelessness.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-09 - This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Wednesday 02-15-17 10:30AM in conference room 329. [HB1447 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-HB1447-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1447 |
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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 many chronically homeless individuals have been helped by "housing first" programs. Unfortunately, due to economic constraints, the supply of subsidized housing is, and will continue to be, woefully insufficient for the foreseeable future. Consequently, illegal homeless camps, which are a public health menace, are ubiquitous. The State must therefore adopt emergency measures that can be implemented quickly within current budgetary constraints. The legislature further finds that the goals of "housing first" can be accomplished in any type of clean, safe, and comfortable dwelling with supportive services.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to direct the department of human services to establish residential campgrounds with full supportive services for the homeless, utilizing undeveloped government land located in industrial zones.
SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§346- Residential campgrounds. (a) The department shall establish and implement residential campgrounds for the homeless on undeveloped government lands located in industrial zones.
(b) The department may enter into agreements with agencies in charge of state lands, agencies in charge of county lands pursuant to section 346-375, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding surplus federal lands pursuant to title 42 United States Code section 11412, as necessary, to use those lands as residential campgrounds for the homeless.
(c) The department, in consultation with the department of accounting and general services, as necessary, shall arrange for the construction of residential campground facilities. Wherever possible, the facilities shall be temporary structures capable of being erected quickly, on a large scale, at a minimal cost.
(d) Residential campgrounds for the homeless established pursuant to this section shall provide at a minimum:
(1) Designated campsites large enough for a tent or other temporary structure;
(2) A secure place to lock valuables;
(3) Parking spaces within a reasonable distance from the designated campsites;
(4) Reasonable access to public transportation, which may be accomplished by working with the relevant public transportation agencies to re-route buses as needed;
(5) A place to build a fire for cooking;
(6) Communal men's and women's bathrooms and showers;
(7) Systems to collect and dispose of trash and other waste;
(8) A mailing address and a system that permits residents to securely receive mail;
(9) Places within each campground where the department, and other public and private organizations, can provide supportive services for the homeless; and
(10) An earnership program allowing residents to earn benefits by volunteering to maintain and service the campground. Residents participating in an earnership program shall be considered emergency or transitional shelter volunteers as defined in section 346-370 and shall not be considered employees.
(e) The department shall develop and implement residential campgrounds in accordance with the relevant principles of a housing first program under section 346-378(b), and shall develop and offer support services to campground residents that are substantially equivalent to those offered to housing first program participants.
(f) The director shall adopt rules for residential campgrounds, as necessary. Rules adopted to implement this section shall be exempt from the public notice and public hearing requirements of chapter 91. The rules shall:
(1) Allow anyone admission to a residential campground without qualification, if there is space available, unless the person seeking admission is a danger to others;
(2) Provide for referral of anyone who violates any applicable law or rule to law enforcement, if necessary, but not allow eviction from the residential campground as a punishment for, or consequence of, the violation unless the person in violation of the law or rule presents a danger to others; and
(3) Provide residents the freedom to live in tents, other temporary structures, or automobiles.
(g) The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2018. The annual report shall include:
(1) The total number of residential campgrounds established and the total number of residents served;
(2) The annual cost to operate the residential campgrounds;
(3) The type of support services offered at residential campgrounds; and
(4) Information regarding the duration of residency and the services utilized by residents."
SECTION 3. 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 to carry out the purposes of this Act, including the hiring of necessary staff.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Residential Campgrounds; Homeless
Description:
Directs DHS to develop and implement residential campgrounds for the homeless.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
