HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

943

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§321-    Alcohol and drug abuse division; homeless triage and treatment center program; establishment.  (a)  The department shall establish a homeless triage and treatment center program within the alcohol and drug abuse division that focuses on serving homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness.

     (b)  The homeless triage and treatment center program shall:

     (1)  Provide access to emergency food, shelter, housing navigation, and supportive services;

     (2)  Collaborate with existing homeless outreach and case management services;

     (3)  Provide medical assessments;

     (4)  Provide substance abuse treatment and detoxification services;

     (5)  Provide behavioral health services; and

     (6)  Provide trauma-informed, cultural-based life skills groups for participants to maximize engagement and retention.

     (c)  The alcohol and drug abuse division shall work in cooperation with local hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, law enforcement agencies, and homeless service providers in establishing the homeless triage and treatment center program.

     (d)  The alcohol and drug abuse division may contract with facilities that provide comprehensive triage services to homeless individuals suffering from substance abuse issues or mental illness to carry out the homeless triage and treatment center program."

     SECTION 2.  Section 334-171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There shall be established within the department a crisis intervention and diversion services program to redirect persons, including homeless persons, experiencing mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders who are at risk for involvement, or currently involved, with the criminal justice system to the appropriate health care system and services.  The program may include intensive mobile outreach services.  The department shall collaborate with law enforcement agencies, courts, mental health providers, and the community for the execution and implementation of these services.  Any appropriation for the crisis intervention and diversion services program shall be used only for services contracted directly between the department and the service provider."

     SECTION 3.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to implement this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

Report Title:

DOH; Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division; Homeless Triage and Treatment Center Program; Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program; Homelessness; Substance Abuse; Mental Illness; Appropriations

 

Description:

Expands existing crisis intervention programs by requiring, and appropriating funds for, the Department of Health to establish a Homeless Triage and Treatment Center Program within its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness.  Amends the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program to require the program to redirect certain homeless persons to the appropriate health care system and services; authorize the program to include intensive mobile outreach services; and require appropriations for the program to be used only for services contracted directly between the Department of Health and the service provider.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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