STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1134-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2469

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2469, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the health care needs of the homeless population in the State by requiring the Department of Human Services to establish and operate two mobile clinics to serve homeless individuals and appropriating funds to purchase, staff, and operate the clinics.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Psychological Association, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and six individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Your Committees recognize that mobile clinics can reduce geographical, financial, and psychological barriers to health care for individuals who are homeless. This measure provides greater opportunities to extend health outreach and increase health care access for the State's homeless population.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Human Services to contract with nonprofits to establish and operate the mobile clinics;

(2) Changing the number of mobile clinics to an unspecified amount;

(3) Including a psychologist as part of the mobile clinic staff;

(4) Allowing, rather than requiring, the mobile clinics to provide specified services;

(5) Including COVID-19 testing as one of the services that the mobile clinics may provide; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2469, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2469, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health,

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair

____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair