HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2021

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State has a gap in services for homeless individuals with severe mental illness, as these individuals often cycle between homelessness, emergency room treatment, incarceration, and hospitalization.  Individuals with severe mental illness typically become chronically homeless and further burden the health care system through excessive use of expensive emergency department, inpatient treatment, and crisis services.  Due to their mental illness, these individuals routinely reject offered services and remain on the street, putting themselves at risk of further injury and creating a significant burden on the communities where they reside.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services, in consultation with the department of health, to establish a pilot project to provide housing and mental health treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness who are subject to an assisted community treatment order or court ordered guardianship.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of human services, in consultation with the department of health, shall establish a pilot project to operate a facility to provide shelter and mental health treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness who are subject to an assisted community treatment order or court ordered guardianship, with the goal of enabling these individuals to find permanent housing through housing first programs; provided that prior to the establishment of the pilot project, adult protective services shall seek a court ordered guardianship for homeless individuals with severe mental illness and consult with the family court and other appropriate agencies about homeless individuals with severe mental illness who were subjected to an assisted community treatment order.

     (b)  No more than ten homeless individuals with severe mental illness may receive shelter and mental health treatment at the facility at any given time; provided that a homeless individual with severe mental illness shall provide appropriate identification documentation, including but not limited to a social security card, driver's license, or state identification card, to be eligible for shelter and mental health treatment at the facility.

     (c)  The department of human services shall use a suitable unused state facility to provide shelter and mental health treatment services; provided that the department shall make any necessary changes to the facility to serve individuals with severe mental illness.

     (d)  The pilot project shall end on June 30,       .  The department of human services, in consultation with the governor's coordinator on homelessness, shall submit a report detailing findings and recommendations regarding the pilot project, including findings regarding the pilot project's contribution to successfully transitioning homeless individuals with severe mental illness to permanent housing, challenges or failures of the pilot project, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of           .

     (e)  The department of human services shall enter a memorandum of understanding with the department of health and any appropriate agencies assisting the department of human services in providing shelter and mental health treatment to homeless individuals with severe mental illness subject to an assisted community treatment order or court ordered guardianship.

     (f)  The department of human services may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to effectuate this Act.

     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 2018-2019 to establish a pilot project to operate a shelter, including the hiring of a social worker and social service assistant, administrative expenses, and any necessary renovations to the facility, to provide shelter and mental health treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness pursuant to this Act; provided that the department of human services may procure mental health treatment services pursuant to chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000; provided that section 2 shall take effect upon the Department of the Attorney General's approval.

 

Report Title:

Individuals with Severe Mental Illness; Homeless; Facility; Appropriation; Department of Human Services; Department of Health; Assisted Community Treatment Order; Court Ordered Guardianship

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, to establish a pilot project to operate a facility to provide shelter and mental health treatment for homeless individuals with severe mental illness who are subject to an assisted community treatment order or court ordered guardianship.  Requires adult protective services to request a court ordered guardianship for homeless individuals with severe mental illness and consult with the family court and other appropriates agencies on homeless individuals with severe mental illness who were subjected to an assisted community treatment order.  Requires homeless individuals with severe mental illness to provide identification documentation prior to receiving shelter and mental health treatment.  Appropriates funds.  Requires approval from Department of the Attorney General.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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