STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1968

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 257

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 257, H.D. 2, S.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 facilitate assistance to the homeless.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes criteria by which private lands may be used for the placement of ohana zones under the ohana zones pilot program;

(2) Extends the sunset date for the ohana zones pilot program from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2023; and

(3) Extends the sunset date for the emergency department homelessness assessment pilot program and the medical respite pilot program from June 30, 2019, to June 30, 2020.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Human Services; Queen's Health Systems; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; ACCESS Capabilities, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committee recognizes that ohana zones are designed to assist homeless persons find and transition into permanent housing and provide other necessary services. Your Committee finds that, under certain conditions, the placement of ohana zones on private property will allow the ohana zones pilot program to assist more of the State's homeless population. Your Committee also recognizes the value of medical intervention services provided to homeless individuals under the emergency department homelessness assessment pilot program and the medical respite pilot program. Accordingly, your Committee finds that the continuation of these programs will offer assistance to a greater number of homeless individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 257, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair