STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2943

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2137

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2137, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Health and pertinent county agencies to work together to resolve problems and complaints regarding clean and sober homes; and

(2) Require the Department of Health to educate the public on certain matters related to clean and sober homes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

Your Committee finds that Hawai‘i continues to have limited resources for those in recovery to have a stable and safe environment in which to reside. Clean and sober homes are a critical strategy to assist in a person's recovery. Unfortunately, there are communities that have expressed frustration with the lack of oversight of clean and sober homes. This measure will help balance community education and the needs of those in clean and sober homes, which will help increase understanding and reduce misinformation about these important facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2137, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2137, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair