STAND. COM. REP. NO.  486-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2224

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 1, 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 and 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 the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition provided testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the provisions excluding clean and sober homes from the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code; and

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

     Your Committee notes that the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code provides important protections for landlords and tenants that should apply to clean and sober homes.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair