STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1124-20
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2020
RE: S.B. No. 3117
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. 3117, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, The Queen's Health Systems, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.
Your Committee finds that since 2018, the Department of Human Services has contracted with Queen's Medical Center to administer the Emergency Department Homelessness Assessment Pilot Program and Medical Respite Pilot Program. Your Committee further finds that there is a high utilization of emergency department resources by homeless individuals for non-emergent needs. Your Committee notes that many of the homeless patients seen at Queen's are super utilizers of its emergency department and suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues. The Emergency Department Homelessness Assessment Pilot Program, operated through the Queen's Care Coalition, has proven that coordinated care services for homeless patients and connecting patients to community resources is an effective and cost-saving approach.
Your Committee also notes that the Medical Respite Pilot Program has demonstrated positive results in delivering medical respite services for eligible individuals experiencing homelessness by providing services such as meals, case management, and medical, nursing, and psychiatric care. Your Committee recognizes the value of the medical intervention services provided to homeless individuals under both pilot programs.
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. 3117, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3117, 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,
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____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair |