HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1374
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to homelessness.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness is a critical issue in the State. Furthermore, the increasing number of illegal homeless camps are a threat to public health and safety.  The legislature further finds that innovative solutions are needed to provide alternative living options for homeless individuals.  "Work camping", already a popular employment trend among private campgrounds across the nation, provides workers with a campsite in exchange for their services maintaining park grounds and programs. 

     Accordingly, this Act requires the department of land and natural resources to establish a "stay for work" program for the purpose of providing a new alternative to illegal homeless encampments.  The program shall provide homeless individuals and families with legal campsites at state parks in exchange for their volunteer services maintaining park grounds.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§346-  Park campsite program. (a) The department of land and natural resources shall implement a program to provide homeless individuals and families with legal campsites on park grounds in exchange for the adult individuals' volunteer services maintaining park grounds. 

(b) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section provided that the program meets the following requirements:

(1) Volunteers shall not be required to work more than twenty-five hours per week; and

(2) Campsites provided must be suitable for a tent or

other temporary dwelling, have access to public bathrooms

and showers, and have a place suitable to build a fire for

cooking.

(c) Compliance with program rules shall afford program participants the continued right to occupy the provided campsite."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR; Homelessness; Alternative Living; Park Campsite Program

Description:

This Act instructs DLNR to create a stay-for-work program which provides homeless individuals and families with legal campsites at parks in exchange for their volunteer services maintaining park grounds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.