THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

483

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to homelessness.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending section 3 to read:

     "SECTION 3.  (a)  There is established the ohana zones pilot program to provide temporary housing and services to homeless individuals and families based on principles similar to the housing first program.

     (b)  The governor shall designate executive branch agencies to develop and implement the ohana zones pilot program, including an agency with specific expertise in construction development and an agency with specific expertise in administering homeless services.  The governor, through the governor's designated agencies, shall determine the number and locations of the ohana zones, which shall be situated on public lands[;] in accordance with subsection (c) or on private lands through a partnership between the State and the owner of the land; provided that the designated agencies shall identify at least three sites on Oahu and one site on each of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui.

     (c)  The agencies designated pursuant to subsection (b) may coordinate with public or private entities, as appropriate, to develop and implement the ohana zones pilot program; provided that if any public land under the jurisdiction of a state or county agency is determined to be suitable for use as an ohana zone, the designated agencies shall:

     (1)  Work with the appropriate state or county agency that controls the land to transfer the land designated for use as an ohana zone to an agency whose mission is more suited to the management of ohana zones; and

     (2)  Work with the appropriate state or county agency that controls the land and its construction agency to ensure that an ohana zone's infrastructure needs are met and minimize adverse impacts to the environment, including to nearshore resources such as corals, reef fish, and seabirds.

     (d)  The ohana zones pilot program may provide the following facilities and services at each ohana zone site:

     (1)  Secure dwelling spaces that:

          (A)  May be private or communal;

          (B)  Have access to toilets, showers, and other hygiene facilities; and

          (C)  Have access to an area for food storage and meal preparation;

     (2)  Medical and social support services; and

     (3)  Transportation to appointments related to medical care or supportive services that are not available onsite."

     2.  By amending section 7 to read:

     "SECTION 7.  (a)  There is established within the department of human services a pilot program to be known as the emergency department homelessness assessment pilot program.  The department of human services, in consultation with the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness and any other appropriate agency, shall serve as the administrator of the pilot program.

     (b)  The pilot program shall consist of multidisciplinary teams composed of but not limited to physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, social workers, and patient navigators who are employed by a participating hospital in the participating hospital's emergency department.  The multidisciplinary team shall:

     (1)  Identify patients who are experiencing homelessness or patients at risk of experiencing homelessness and have high utilization of emergency department services;

     (2)  Assess the patient's current circumstances; and

     (3)  Coordinate and refer these patients to appropriate and available wrap-around supports and community resources along the entire continuum of care with a goal of reducing costs associated with chronic use of hospital emergency departments.

     (c)  The department of human services shall work with the participating hospital under the emergency department homelessness assessment pilot program to collect and analyze data to be included in a report that contains a summary and explanation of the data regarding the efficacy of emergency department intervention by the multidisciplinary team in mitigating the number of unnecessary emergency department visits by patients experiencing homelessness or patients at risk of experiencing homelessness.  The report shall contain findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, for continuation, modification, or termination of the pilot program.  The department of human services shall submit the report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of [2019.] 2020.

     (d)  The department of human services shall be exempt from chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in implementing this part.

     (e)  The emergency department homelessness assessment pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, [2019.] 2020."

     3.  By amending section 9 to read:

     "SECTION 9.  (a)  There is established within the department of human services a pilot program to be known as the medical respite pilot program.  The department of human services, in consultation with the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness and any appropriate agency, shall serve as the administrator of the pilot program.

     (b)  A participating community human services provider, in partnership with a hospital participating in the pilot program, shall provide emergency housing for eligible individuals experiencing homelessness who are discharged from the participating hospital and provide, at minimum, meals, case management, and medical, nursing, and psychiatric care.  The medical respite facilities shall comply with the department of health's standards of accessibility, sanitation, and other requirements, as determined by the department of health for facilities of similar use.

     (c)  The department of human services shall submit a report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, regarding the pilot program no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of [2019.] 2020.

     (d)  The department of human services shall be exempt from chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in implementing this part.

     (e)  The medical respite pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, [2019.] 2020."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on June 29, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DHS; Ohana Zones Pilot Program; Emergency Department Homelessness Assessment Pilot Program; Medical Respite Pilot Program; Homelessness; Human Services; Housing; Shelters

 

Description:

Authorizes the use of private lands for the ohana zones pilot program.  Extends sunset dates of the Emergency Department Homelessness Assessment and Medical Respite pilot programs of the Department of Human Services to 6/30/2020.  Requires reports to the Legislature.

 

 

 

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