STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1128-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2893

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2893, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHRONICALLY HOMELESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to align the state definition of "chronically homeless individual" with the federal definition established by the United State Department of Housing and Urban Development, to reduce confusion among providers, communities, and private partners.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Human Services, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure provides clarity and will improve the delivery and development of homeless services. This measure also ensures that Housing First services are targeted to homeless individuals with the highest level of need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2893, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2893, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair