STAND. COM. REP. NO.  238-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2224

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2224 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GROUP HOMES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help residents and prospective residents of clean and sober group homes to access a stable, alcohol- and drug-free, home-like living environment in residences that are in compliance with federal, state, and county requirements as well as minimum quality standards, by:

(1)  Establishing a registry for clean and sober homes within the Department of Health;

(2)  Amending the statute on county zoning to better align the functions of state and county jurisdictions to comply with federal law; and

(3)  Excluding clean and sober homes from Chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.

The Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, County of Hawaii Planning Department, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and an individual supported this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

Should the subsequent committees consider this measure, your Committee respectfully requests them to consider an appropriation amount of $534,407 for staffing and operating costs to plan, establish, and operate the registry of clean and sober homes.

     Your Committee would like to acknowledge the work of the Clean and Sober Homes and Halfway Houses Task Force in examining ways to address housing concerns for individuals transitioning from institutionalization or treatment settings to independent living.  This measure is the product of the Task Force's efforts.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2224, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair