HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1417
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

rELATING TO PROTECTING AGENCY POSITIONS FROM ELIMINATION REQUIREMENT.

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Protecting Agency Positions from Elimination Requirement Act" or "PAPER Act".

SECTION 2. The legislature finds that the department of human services and department of health are grossly understaffed. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, both departments have experienced an employee shortfall of thirty per cent of state‑funded positions. During this same period, there has also been a vast increase in the number of residents who need health and human services. The department of human services and department of health are doing their best to provide services and recruit new employees. However, health care and program administrators are burned out and these positions are demanding and difficult to fill. If the legislature were to eliminate these budgeted positions and any associated positions, these important departments would not be able to function.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the elimination of funding for vacant positions in the department of human services and department of health for five years, or until the director of human services or director of health, as applicable, requests that the positions be eliminated, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, funding for vacant positions in the department of human services and department of health shall not be eliminated for five years, or until the director of human services or director of health, as applicable, requests that the positions be eliminated, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Vacant Positions; Funding; Prohibition; DHS; DOH

Description:

Prohibits the elimination of funding for vacant positions in the department of human services and department of health for five years, or until the director of human services or director of health, as applicable, requests that the positions be eliminated, whichever occurs first.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.