Bill Text: HI HB684 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Governor's Coordinator On Homelessness.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [HB684 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB684-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
684 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the governor's coordinator on homelessness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness is one of the State's most significant social challenges. Homeless persons face a wide range of issues, including general health obstacles, mental illness, and substance abuse. The legislature also finds that homelessness impacts Hawaii's residents and visitors alike, and more must be done to mitigate homelessness and its associated issues.
The legislature further finds that since 2011, the governor has appointed a coordinator on homelessness to organize, manage, and oversee the coordination of statewide efforts to address homelessness. The governor's coordinator on homelessness serves as chair of the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, an advisory body established by Act 105, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.
The purpose of this Act is to formalize the position of the governor's coordinator on homelessness by establishing clear standards of accountability and empowering the governor's coordinator on homelessness by:
(1) Establishing the position in statute;
(2) Requiring that the governor's coordinator on homelessness report directly to the governor, thus allowing direct access to agencies for more efficient coordination; and
(3) Appropriating funds for the coordinator position and other associated expenses, including the hiring of necessary staff.
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- Governor's
coordinator on homelessness; establishment; responsibilities. (a)
There is established within the department for administrative purposes
only, a governor's coordinator on homelessness to organize, manage, and oversee
the coordination of statewide efforts to end homelessness. The governor's coordinator on homelessness
shall report directly to the governor and shall:
(1) Serve as the principal officer in state
government responsible for the performance, development, and oversight of
programs, policies, and activities relating to homelessness;
(2) Be responsible for ensuring the
development, implementation, and management of plans developed by the Hawaii
interagency council on homelessness pursuant to section 346-381;
(3) Coordinate with the homeless coordinator of
each county to ensure statewide coordination, minimize duplication of efforts,
and monitor and benchmark progress on the mitigation and management of
homelessness in each county;
(4) Communicate with departments and agencies that
provide rental subsidies and housing assistance; and
(5) Develop and implement plans to increase
affordable housing units through the identification of viable lands and
supporting housing projects to ensure coordination and collaboration.
(b) The governor's coordinator on homelessness
shall:
(1) Employ persons exempt from chapters 76 and
89; and
(2) Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91
necessary for the purposes of this section.
(c) The office of the governor shall provide office space to the governor's coordinator on homelessness and related staff; provided that if the office of the governor is unable to provide adequate office space, the department shall provide adequate office space to the governor's coordinator on homelessness and related staff."
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 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021:
(1) To establish the governor's coordinator on homelessness as a full-time equivalent position; and
(2) For other expenses of the governor's coordinator on homelessness, including the hiring of necessary staff.
The sums 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, 2019.
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INTRODUCED
BY: |
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Report Title:
Governor; DHS; Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes in statute the position of Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness. Attaches the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes, but requires the position to report to the Governor. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
