HB2280.DOC

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2280
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

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 presently stranded in the state and are separated from their families and relatives in their home state but lack independent financial resources to reunite with those family members. Adopting a return-to-home program would address this pressing social issue. There are similar return-to-home programs in other jurisdictions. New York City, for example, adopted a return-to-home program for those people who were identified as homeless for over one year.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a return-to-home program for the homeless.

SECTION 2. Chapter 184, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§184- Parks for homeless special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury, the parks for homeless special fund, into which shall be deposited moneys designated by law."

SECTION 3. Chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

" . Return-To-Home Program

§356D- Return-to-home program. (a) There is established within the authority a voluntary homeless assistance program to be known as the return-to-home program, to provide eligible homeless persons with assistance in being reunited with their families and relatives in the person's home state. The authority shall administer the program and adopt the standards and framework necessary to implement the program.

(b) No person who is homeless shall be eligible to participate in the program unless:

(1) The person's participation is completely voluntary;

(2) The person has a support system in place in the person's home state that is willing to receive and accommodate the person;

(3) The person, if on parole, probation, or awaiting a court hearing or sentencing, has proper clearance from the court to participate in the program;

(4) The person is indigent and lacks the financial resources necessary to secure transportation to return to the person's home state; and

(5) The person has been determined by the authority to be homeless for over one year.

(c) The authority shall actively seek the participation of local airlines, cruise lines, charter companies, homeless programs, travel agencies, and the visitor industry to implement and coordinate the program.

(d) The authority shall also assist program participants with necessary and proper preparations for the return trip, including proper identification, orientation relating to airport security, and the basics of personal care, and shall follow up with them within one month of their return to their home state to assess their efforts at successful reunification with their families and relatives."

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the parks for homeless special fund the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for implementing the costs of the return-to-home program, including program costs and the hiring of necessary staff.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________