THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	235
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting THE ESTABLISHMENT OF a clean and sober HOME and halfway house task force.

     WHEREAS, clean and sober homes and halfway houses provide a means for persons to return to the community through support in a home-like environment without the rigid structure of a therapeutic care facility or therapeutic living program; and

     WHEREAS, many persons being released from incarceration need the support of a home environment while trying to deal with the stressors of reintegrating back into society while maintaining sobriety; and

     WHEREAS, community residents have expressed concerns over the legal operation of such homes in their immediate vicinity and their compliance with all state and county laws; and

     WHEREAS, the needs and concerns of the community must be tempered with the needs of the individuals requiring support; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to establish a clean and sober home and halfway house task force to address the following issues:

     (1)  Establishing clear occupancy requirements of clean and sober homes and halfway houses (facilities);

     (2)  Develop a plan of accountability for these facilities to ensure compliance with occupancy and other requirements; in developing the plan the task force shall review the need for or appropriateness of regulation of these facilities, as well as the most appropriate practices regarding regulation; and

     (3)  Community and advocate education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in considering the foregoing issues that the task force balance community concerns with the needs of individuals requiring clean and sober homes and halfway houses; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to chair and convene the task force, which shall include:

     (1)  The Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting or the Director's designee;

     (2)  The Director of each of the County Planning Departments or the Director's designee;

     (3)  The Director of Department of Health or the Director's designee;

     (4)  The Chair of the Hawaii Paroling Authority or the Chair's designee;

     (5)  Homeless advocates, as determined by the convener;

     (6)  Representation from clean and sober homes and halfway houses, as determined by the convener;

     (7)  Legislative representation, as determined by the convener; and

     (8)  Others as appropriate, as determined by the convener; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all relevant agencies, including but not limited to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, consult with the appropriate county agencies to ensure that they only refer clients to clean and sober homes and halfway houses that meet the zoning requirements and definitions under section 46-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report to the Legislature on the scope and nature of the accountability plan for clean and sober homes and halfway houses, the process by which the houses will be monitored, the way in which concerns of the community members are balanced with the concerns of those requiring the support of the homes, and how the homes will be regulated short of direct governmental oversight; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011, a report on the findings and recommendations of the task force and any proposed legislation that may be necessary to effectuate those recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Director of Health, the Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, the Director of the County of Hawaii Department of Planning, the Director of the County of Maui Department of Planning, the Director of the County of Kauai Department of Planning, and the Chair and Administrator of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requesting a Clean and Sober and Halfway House Task Force