Bill Text: HI HB533 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Homelessness; Return-to-Home Program; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB533 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB533-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
533 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 eligible homeless individuals.
SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part XVII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§346-A 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 contract with eligible non-profit organizations, for profit organizations, and foundations to 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 program.
(d) The program 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 program 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, and ensuring sufficient personal hygiene. The program 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.
§346-B Return-to-home special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury the return-to-home special fund, into which shall be deposited:
(1) Appropriations by the legislature to the special fund; and
(2) Gifts, donations, and grants from public agencies, non-profit organizations, for profit organizations, foundations, and private persons.
Each county may provide matching funds, which shall also be deposited into the return to home special fund.
(b) Moneys in the return-to-home special fund shall be administered and expended by the department of human services and shall be used to provide return-to-home programs and services."
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 to be deposited to the credit of the return-to-home special fund established pursuant to section 346B, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the return-to-home special fund 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 hiring of necessary staff.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.
Report Title:
Homelessness; Return-to-Home Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the return-to-home program and the return-to-home special fund 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. (HB533 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
