Bill Text: HI SB5 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 5 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Human Services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB5 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB5-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	5
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to establish a program within the department of human services to assist homeless individuals who suffer from multiple chronic diseases find housing opportunities in the community and to obtain federal moneys to implement and carry out the program.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"CHAPTER

HOUSING PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE

§ -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

"Chronic disease" means a disease lasting three months or longer, including but not limited to heart disease, history of stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and asthma.

"Eligible housing provider" means a housing unit owner who has been approved by the department of human services to participate in the housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease to provide housing for a qualifying individual and family, if applicable, pursuant to this chapter.

"Qualifying individual" means a homeless individual who has two or more chronic diseases.

§ -2 Purpose. The purpose of the housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease is to help homeless individuals suffering from two or more chronic diseases to be placed in safe and secure housing. Furthermore, this program attempts to leverage federal dollars in support of chronic disease management.

§ -3 Housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease; established. (a) There is established a housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease within the department of human services.

(b) The department of human services, in collaboration with the department of health and the coordinator on homelessness under the office of the governor, shall administer the program pursuant to this chapter.

(c) The department of human services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

§ -4 Eligible housing providers; qualifying individuals; program procedures; registration. (a) Beginning January 1, 2018, the department of human services shall solicit applications from housing unit owners in the State to register with the department of human services to become eligible housing providers under the program. The department shall approve eligible housing providers for participation in the program based on standards and requirements established by the department and shall create a list of eligible housing providers that may provide housing to a qualifying individual and family, if applicable; provided that there shall be no more than one thousand eligible housing providers at any one time.

(b) The department of human services, in collaboration with the coordinator on homelessness under the office of the governor, shall identify qualifying individuals for participation in the program. Upon consent by the qualifying individual and subject to an evaluation by the department of health that the qualifying individual has two or more chronic diseases, the department of human services shall assign the qualifying individual to an eligible housing provider and assist the qualifying individual and family, if applicable, in moving to housing provided by an eligible housing provider; provided that no more than individuals shall occupy a single housing unit provided by an eligible housing provider.

(c) If an eligible housing provider wishes to be removed from the list of eligible housing providers created pursuant to subsection (a), the eligible housing provider shall notify the department of human services in writing. After receiving the written notification by an eligible housing provider wishing to be removed from the list, the department shall remove the housing unit owner from the list and stop payments to the housing unit owner.

(d) If a qualifying individual wishes to leave the housing unit provided by the eligible housing provider, the qualifying individual shall submit such notice in writing to the department of human services.

(e) If there is a dispute between a qualifying individual and an eligible housing provider, the department of human services, in consultation with the department of the attorney general, shall review the dispute and determine the appropriate action.

§ -5 Payments; repair and maintenance. The department of human services shall pay each eligible housing provider $1,320 per month per housing unit that houses a qualifying individual and family, if applicable, to cover monthly rent and any associated repairs and maintenance costs; provided that the eligible housing provider shall receive payment pursuant to this section even if the housing unit provided by the eligible housing provider is not occupied by a qualifying individual; provided further that the department shall not be responsible for any other costs of an eligible housing provider.

§ -6 Inspection. The department of human services shall inspect housing units provided by eligible housing providers on an annual basis at a time scheduled by the department. If the department determines that the housing unit provided by an eligible housing provider is not suitable for occupancy, the department may disqualify the eligible housing provider from participating in the program.

§ -7 Liability. The State shall not be liable for the death of or injury to persons, or the loss of or damage to property, resulting from participation in the program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 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 housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease pursuant to this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Housing; Homeless; Chronic Disease; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the housing program for homeless individuals with chronic disease. Appropriates funds for the program. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.