STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2937

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2885

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2885, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for a working group to develop a triage center program serving homeless individuals having substance abuse issues or mental illnesses.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Partners In Care - Oahu's Continuum of Care, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that substance abuse and mental illness are pervasive issues affecting homeless individuals throughout the State. Your Committee therefore believes that establishing a triage center program will offer many homeless individuals the opportunity to receive effective treatment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an unspecified termination date for the triage center program working group;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2885, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2885, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair