STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2936

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 235

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 235 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLEAN AND SOBER HOME AND HALFWAY HOUSE TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to establish a clean and sober home and halfway house task force to address occupancy requirements, accountability, regulation, and community and advocate education at these facilities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.  Testimony in support of the intent of this measure with amendments was received from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that clean and sober homes and halfway houses are an integral step in the treatment of individuals recently released from incarceration and with substance abuse issues.  However, these facilities are often not welcomed additions to neighborhoods and communities.  Your Committee intends that this task force examine possible approaches to improving community relations.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requesting the task force to establish a clear, legal definition of "clean and sober home";

     (2)  Adding legal representatives, as determined by the convener, to the task force membership to address issues such as discrimination;

     (3)  Requesting all relevant agencies to consult with the legal representative members to ensure that clients are referred only to clean and sober homes and halfway houses that satisfy state zoning guidelines, the Federal Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other laws providing housing opportunities and protections for people with disabilities; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes to ensure clarity and accuracy in the language of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 235, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 235, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair