Bill Text: HI HB1281 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Homelessness.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-03-24 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDL/WAM. [HB1281 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-HB1281-Amended.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1281 |
|
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
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 according to the 2015 point-in-time count for the city and county of Honolulu, the number of homeless people in Honolulu rose by about four per cent from 2014 to 2015. Despite increased efforts and resources to reduce homelessness in Hawaii, homelessness has remained a significant issue. Homeless individuals often rely on panhandling for income. Citations and jail time for panhandling can be disruptive and exacerbate the problem. Further, it has often been difficult for service providers to connect with homeless individuals and identify the services they need, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.
The legislature recognizes that pilot programs throughout the United States provide homeless individuals with temporary work while providing easy access to services. A pilot program launched in Albuquerque, New Mexico has received national attention. The program connects homeless individuals with work cleaning up public spaces, and is proving to be a success. A similar program introduced in Tucson, Arizona assists homeless individuals with temporary jobs.
The legislature further finds that in Hawaii, some service providers assist homeless individuals with temporary work. However, those programs are limited to small areas, and thus are not available to the vast majority of homeless individuals in communities throughout the State. The legislature also finds that since problems like graffiti and litter remain prevalent throughout Hawaii, the State could employ homeless individuals to help reduce those problems.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot program that:
(1) Assists homeless individuals by providing them temporary jobs in public service; and
(2) Connects homeless individuals with service providers.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established a three-year work-for-a-day pilot program that shall be developed and administered by the governor's coordinator on homelessness or the coordinator's designee. The designee may be a service provider or other qualified person or entity.
(b) The work-for-a-day pilot program shall:
(1) Connect homeless individuals with work opportunities;
(2) Pay individuals in the program for the hours they worked in the day, which may include a limited amount of time spent with service providers; provided that the source of funding for the payments shall be the work-for-a-day pilot program's funds;
(3) Connect homeless individuals with service providers at the appropriate time; and
(4) When appropriate, transport participants in the program to a shelter at the end of the work day.
(c) The homeless individuals who work pursuant to subsection (b) shall not be considered employees of the State solely as a result of their work in the pilot program.
(d) The State shall be immune from suit and liability for any claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury, or other civil liability caused, arising out of, or relating to any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred at any stage of the planning and administration of the work-for-a-day pilot program.
(e) The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall submit a report that includes:
(1) The progress on the work-for-a-day pilot program;
(2) Any findings and recommendations; and
(3) Any necessary proposed legislation,
to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2018.
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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purpose of establishing a three-year work-for-a-day pilot program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services with the approval of the governor's coordinator on homelessness for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2075.
Report Title:
Work-for-a-Day Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a three-year Work-for-a-Day Pilot Program that provides homeless individuals with work opportunities and connects them with service providers. Requires the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2018 Regular Session on implementing the program. Appropriates funds. (HB1281 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
