HB2647 HD2.DOC

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, according to the city and county of Honolulu's 2015 report entitled "Homeless Point-in Time Count," the number of homeless people jumped by about four per cent compared to the previous year. Despite increased effort and resources, such as officials offering homeless services and the proposed use of shipping containers as temporary housing, homelessness in Oahu has not improved.

The legislature further finds that there are programs being introduced throughout the United States that help homeless individuals find work and afford shelter. A pilot program was launched by the mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, that assists individuals in leaving the streets and connecting them with work. The pilot program is proving to be a success and is receiving national attention. A similar program that was introduced in Tucson, Arizona, assists homeless individuals in achieving temporary jobs. In partnership with the Primavera Foundation, the Primavera Works program is an employment program that serves as a nonprofit, staffing service that offers job training and provides temporary jobs, with the potential of becoming permanent jobs. The legislature finds that launching a localized pilot program on Oahu that is similar to those found in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona, would give homeless individuals day jobs. Citations and jail time are disruptive events that only increase the likelihood of people relying on panhandling for income. Providing more proactive services, such as jobs and counseling to build up a person's self-esteem, would help reduce poverty and homelessness on Oahu.

As the successful programs established in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona, were established on a local level the legislature further finds that the pilot program should be established and administered on a localized level.

The purpose of this Act is to assist homeless individuals in finding jobs by requiring the city and county of Honolulu to develop and, if feasible, administer a pilot program connecting homeless individuals who are willing to work with job opportunities.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a -year work for a day pilot program to be developed, administered, and implemented by the city and county of Honolulu, including, but not limited to, the ability to designate a service provider to carry out the purposes of the pilot program. The purpose of the work for a day pilot program is to assist homeless individuals in finding work opportunities.

(b) The work for a day pilot program shall:

(1) Connect homeless individuals with work opportunities at organizations to be determined by the city and county of Honolulu;

(2) Provide for lunch, with the assistance of homeless assistance service providers;

(3) Transport participants in the program to a shelter at the end of the work day to receive a hot meal, access to social services provided by the State, and homeless assistance service providers; and

(4) Receive payment for the hours of work in the work day; provided that the payment shall be paid from the work for a day pilot program's funds.

(c) The homeless individuals who perform work pursuant to subsection (b) shall not be considered employees of the State or the city and county of Honolulu solely by performing work pursuant to subsection (b).

(d) If the city and county of Honolulu is unable to come up with a work for a day pilot program that satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) by January 1, 2017, all remaining funds for the work for a day pilot program shall be transferred to the governor's coordinator on homelessness to be distributed to fund existing programs that assist homeless individuals in finding work opportunities.

(e) The State and the city and county of Honolulu shall be immune from suit and liability for any claim for damage to or loss of property, personal injury, or other civil liability caused, arising out of, or relating to any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred at any stage of the planning, administration, or implementation of the work for a day pilot program.

(f) The city and county of Honolulu shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation if needed, relative to the work for a day pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017. The report shall be concise and detail the city and county of Honolulu's progress on the planning, administration, and implementation of the work for a day pilot program.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purpose of establishing the work for a day pilot program; provided that no funds appropriated under this section shall be expended unless matched dollar-for-dollar with the city and county of Honolulu.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050, and shall be repealed on July 1, 2019.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2647
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII