STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2465

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2893

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the definition of "chronically homeless" to align with the federal definition and to reduce confusion among providers, communities, and private partners.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, and Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that in 2015, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development issued its definition of "chronically homeless." The homeless services providers of the communities' continuum of care are required to use the definition in receipt of federal funds. Amending the State's definition of "chronically homeless" to better align with the federal agency's definition will allow more flexibility, efficiency, and consistency in the delivery of homeless services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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

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

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RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair