STAND. COM. REP. NO. 347-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1797

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1797 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Medical Respite Pilot Program to improve the quality of life and standard of care for homeless persons in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Budget and Finance, and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that many homeless persons who have been hospitalized are in need of supportive services and follow-up care and lack a clean and safe place to stay in which to recover after being discharged from a hospital. Your Committee further finds that some extended hospital stays and repeated hospitalizations by homeless persons could be avoided with a coordinated program of care, including medical care, housing assistance, and supportive services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it choose to deliberate this measure further, consider appropriating $800,000 for a Medical Respite Pilot Program to improve the quality of life and standard of care for homeless persons in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1797, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1797, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair