Bill Text: HI SB385 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Homelessness; Return-to-Home Program; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-28 - The committee on HMS deferred the measure. [SB385 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2013-SB385-Introduced.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
385 |
|
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the homeless.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many homeless persons are known to thrive better when they have ready access to familiar support groups or family members. The intent of the return-to-home program is to ensure that those individuals who find themselves homeless in the islands are able to reconnect with support networks ready and able to receive them.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a return-to-home program for qualified homeless individuals.
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- Return-to-home program. (a) There is established within the department, a voluntary homeless assistance program to be known as the return-to-home program to provide eligible homeless individuals with assistance in being reunited with family and relatives in the individual's home state. The department shall administer the program.
(b) No individual who is homeless shall be eligible to participate in the return-to-home program unless:
(1) The individual's participation is completely voluntary;
(2) The individual has a support system in place that is willing to receive and accommodate the individual in the individual's home state;
(3) The individual, if on parole, probation, or awaiting a court hearing or sentencing, has proper clearance from the court to participate in the program; and
(4) The individual is indigent and lacks the financial resources necessary to secure transportation to return to the individual's home state.
(c) An individual may participate in the return-to-home program only once and shall sign an agreement to this effect before participating in the program. The agreement shall be kept on file with the department.
(d) The department shall actively seek the participation of local airlines, cruise lines, charter companies, homeless programs, travel agencies, and the visitor industry to coordinate and implement the return-to-home program.
(e) The department shall assist return-to-home program participants with necessary and proper preparations for travel, including obtaining proper identification, accessing public transportation to the airport, providing orientation relating to airport security, ensuring sufficient personal hygiene, and ensuring sufficient physical and mental health to endure travel. The department shall follow up with each individual within one month of the individual's return to the individual's home state to assess efforts at successful reunification with any family or support system.
(f) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement the return-to-home program."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for implementation of the return-to-home program, including all program costs and the hiring of necessary staff.
The sum 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, 2013.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Homelessness; Return-to-Home Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the return-to-home program to assist eligible homeless individuals return to their home state if there is a support network available and the support network is able to receive them. Makes appropriation. Effective July 1, 2013.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
