Bill Text: HI HB1926 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Human Services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-04-27 - Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 04-27-18 at 5:00 PM in Conference Room 325. [HB1926 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1926-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1926 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to human services.
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 2017 Hawaii Statewide Homeless Point-in-Time Count found an estimated 7,220 people living on the streets and in shelters in Hawaii.
The legislature further finds that because homeless outreach, homeless shelters, and enforcement of laws to prevent illegal homeless encampments are conducted by different departments and agencies, no single entity is truly charged with solving the problem of homelessness.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a central homeless intake office within the department of human services to coordinate the intake of homeless individuals and to refer those individuals to services that fit each individual's needs.
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- Central homeless intake office. (a) There is established within the department the central homeless intake office. The head of the office shall be known as the executive director of the central homeless intake office. The executive director shall be appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76.
(b) The central homeless intake office shall:
(1) Assess homeless individuals or families seeking housing, shelter, medical, or other assistance services and refer those persons to the applicable service providers;
(2) Establish criteria, prioritizing fundamental physiological and safety needs, for referring homeless individuals or families to programs or services;
(3) Coordinate state, county, and private entities that provide services to homeless individuals and recommend improvements that the government and private entities may make to reduce the number of homeless individuals and families in the State;
(4) Establish or adopt an electronic data system to record data of individuals and families who access services through the central homeless intake office. The electronic data system shall include medical records and other client-level data that may be accessed by service providers approved by the executive director;
(5) Establish benchmarks for assisting homeless individuals and families and reducing the number of homeless individuals and families in the State; and
(6) Perform other necessary or desirable functions to facilitate the provision of assistance to and reduction of the population of homeless individuals and families in the State.
(c) The executive director of the central homeless intake office shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on the activities of the central homeless intake office and its progress in meeting established benchmarks for reducing the number of homeless individuals and families in the State."
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 2018-2019 for the establishment and operation of the central homeless intake office.
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, 2018.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Homelessness; Central Homeless Intake Office; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Central Homeless Intake Office within DHS to assess homeless individuals and families and refer them to assistance services. Makes an appropriation for the Intake Office.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
