Bill Text: HI SB3141 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Legal Services For Low-income Immigrants.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-05-11 - Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Thielen excused (1). [SB3141 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB3141-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3141 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a large number of immigrants are constantly seeking to continue or obtain legal status and citizenship in the United States. However, the immigration court process is highly complex, which may be intimidating or overwhelming for immigrants who may struggle with navigating a different culture and language. Many immigrants face barriers to obtaining legal status and citizenship. Low—income immigrants often lack the resources to obtain legal representation, which may have a profound impact on the immigrants' ability to receive a fair hearing.
The legislature further finds that Hawaii has always welcomed people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and ethnicities. According to the 2017 American Immigration Council Fact Sheet, nearly eighteen per cent of Hawaii residents are immigrants, while more than one in seven residents is a native‑born United States citizen with at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants are an integral part of Hawaii's diverse, multicultural community and make extensive contributions to the State.
Given the current political climate, a significant number of low—income immigrants are at risk of being detained or deported. Therefore, there are vital public policy reasons behind providing legal counsel to immigrants in immigration proceedings.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of labor and industrial relations, office of community services, to contract with non—profit providers to provide low—income immigrants with legal counsel to assist and represent them in immigration proceedings and provide assistance on immigrant status issues.
SECTION 2. 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 2020-2021 for the department of labor and industrial relations, office of community services, to contract with non—profit providers to provide low—income immigrants with legal counsel to assist and represent them in immigration proceedings and provide assistance on immigrant status issues; provided that the office of community services may retain up to ten per cent of the appropriation for its administrative costs in entering into and overseeing the contracts.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DLIR; Immigrants; Immigration Proceedings; Legal Counsel; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Office of Community Services to contract with non‑profit service providers for legal counsel to assist and represent low—income immigrants in immigration proceedings and immigrant status issues. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
