Bill Text: HI SB2594 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Homeless; Homeless Programs Office; Designated safe facilities; Keiki Caucus; Appropriation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-03-08 - (H) Referred to HSG, HUS, FIN, referral sheet 41 [SB2594 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-SB2594-Amended.html
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2223
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2594
S.D. 1
Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui
President of the Senate
Twenty-Sixth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2012
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2594 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HOMELESS,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Homeless Programs Office of the Department of Human Services to:
(1) Establish designated safe areas in which homeless persons may live until permanent housing becomes available;
(2) Establish rules, a code of conduct, and fees for residents of the designated safe areas; and
(3) Partner with certain community and nonprofit organizations to provide homeless support services for residents of the designated safe areas and coordinate with state and county law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of individuals residing in the designated safe areas.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice and two individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Human Services, the Leeward Housing Coalition, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Youth Services Network.
Your Committees find that the homeless crisis is expanding at an alarming rate throughout all of the islands. Even in the best economic times, thousands of low-income individuals and families struggle to find affordable shelter. Your Committees also find that successful homeless shelter models exist and are successful due to the sensible restrictions that have been developed, including the enforcement of strict rules against the use of drugs or alcohol and the prohibition against all forms of violence.
Your Committees note that according to the Department of Human Services' testimony, the Department is concerned about the cost of the amenities included in this measure and the impact on current levels of funding for homeless programs.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an appropriation of $100,000 to be expended by the Department of Human Services for the establishment of designated safe areas; and
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2012.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2594, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2594, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,
|
____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair |
|
____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair |
|
|
|
|
