THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3168

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to homelessness.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that homelessness remains a chronic issue in Hawaii.  The legislature further finds that the ohana zones pilot program established under Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, and Act 128, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, has, thus far, been effective at serving its intended purposes and providing critical services to the State's homeless population.  This pilot program, however, will terminate on June 30, 2023.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Provide additional funding to the ohana zones pilot program;

     (2)  Extend the ohana zones pilot program's expiration by five years, to June 30, 2028; and

     (3)  Establish a permanent ohana zones program, to be placed within the department of human services for administrative and funding purposes, upon the expiration of the pilot program on June 30, 2028.

     SECTION 2.  Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, section 4, as amended by Act 128, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, section 1, is amended to read as follows:

     "SECTION 4.  (a)  Contracts entered into by the agencies designated by the governor pursuant to the ohana zones pilot program shall be exempt from the requirements of chapters 103D and 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (b)  The agencies designated by the governor shall establish no later than December 31, 2018, the following:

     (1)  The criteria that the agencies will use to evaluate potential ohana zone locations;

     (2)  A monthly timetable of milestones that the agencies expect to meet in establishing one or more ohana zones over the course of the three-year pilot program;

     (3)  The specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time-based performance measures that the agencies expect to meet at the end of each fiscal year;

     (4)  The evaluation criteria and process that the agencies intend to use each year when reviewing the success and sustainability of the ohana zones; and

     (5)  The monitoring and oversight controls that the agencies will have over the ohana zones to identify, address, and prevent possible fraud, waste, and abuse and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

     (c)  The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall compile and consolidate information from the agencies designated by the governor to effectuate this part and submit reports to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of [2020, 2021, and 2022.] 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.

     [(d)  The report submitted no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020 shall include the following information:

     (1)  A summary and explanation of the process that the agencies designated by the governor pursuant to the ohana zones pilot program engaged in to identify possible ohana zone locations; and

     (2)  A summary of the information required under subsection (b).

     (e)] (d)  The reports submitted no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of [2021 and 2022] 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 shall include the following information:

     (1)  The milestones established pursuant to subsection (b) that were met by the agencies designated by the governor pursuant to the ohana zones pilot program and ohana zones established during the fiscal year;

     (2)  An evaluation of the ohana zones to determine whether the objectives set have been met or exceeded;

     (3)  Any proposed changes that need to be made to the performance measures used to assess the achievement of program goals; and

     (4)  An assessment of the impact of the ohana zone model on the homelessness problem in Hawaii.

     [(f)] (e)  The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, [2023.] 2028."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  Upon the June 30, 2028, expiration of the ohana zones pilot program, established pursuant to Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, as amended by Act 128, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, and as amended further by section 2 of this Act, there shall be established within the department of human services, for administrative and funding purposes, a permanent ohana zones program.  

     (b)  The ohana zones program established pursuant to this section shall provide temporary housing and services to homeless individuals and families based on principals similar to the housing first program, and shall be substantially similar to the pilot program established pursuant to Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, as amended by Act 128, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, and as amended further by section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the extension of the ohana zones pilot program and expenses related to facility construction, renovation, and maintenance; provision of services and staffing; and administrative costs.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the governor for the purposes of this Act; provided that the governor shall transfer the expenditure authority to designated executive branch departments or agencies within a reasonable time.

     Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the governor may transfer all or a portion of the appropriation in this section to the governor's designated executive branch agencies for expenditures incurred to implement the program.

     The governor's designated executive branch agencies may expend any appropriation transferred pursuant to this section for the performance of its duties under the pilot program and may contract with any county or county agency in implementing the program; provided that any funds unused by June 30, 2028 shall be transferred to the department of human services for purposes of establishing a permanent ohana zones program as set forth by section 3 of this Act; provided further that any funds transferred to the department pursuant to this section shall be in addition to and shall not supplant any portion of the base budget of the department.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Governor; Department of Human Services; Homelessness; Housing; Ohana Zones Pilot Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Extends ohana zones pilot program to 06/30/2028.  Appropriates funds for the continuation and stabilization of the program.  Establishes a permanent ohana zones program within the Department of Human Services upon expiration of the pilot program.

 

 

 

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