STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2918

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1774

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the:

     (1)  Department of Human Services for additional outreach to homeless individuals and families with children; and

     (2)  Office of Youth Services for outreach to unaccompanied homeless youth.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Human Services, Office of Youth Services, Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hale Kipa, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Partners In Care, PHOCUSED, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that it is an important and effective strategy to focus outreach services on populations of homeless individuals who share particular characteristics when addressing homeless issues.  This measure will provide funds to support the Department of Human Services' and Office of Youth Services' efforts in this area.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation of $300,000 to the Office of Youth Services for outreach to unaccompanied homeless youth;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2016; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

________________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair