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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
212 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that additional manpower would assist in furthering the program.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to repeal the return-to-home pilot program, establish the return-to-home program on a permanent basis, and appropriate funds for the program's continued operations.
SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§346- Return-to-home program. (a)
The statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions shall
coordinate a voluntary homeless assistance program, to be known as the
return-to-home program, to provide eligible homeless individuals with assistance in being reunited with family and
relatives in the individual's home state.
The office shall establish a public-private partnership by contracting
with eligible nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, or foundations
to administer the program in compliance with chapters 103D and 103F. The governor's coordinator on homelessness
may assist with the implementation of this program.
(b) An individual who is homeless shall be
eligible to participate in the return-to-home program if:
(1) The individual's participation is
completely voluntary;
(2) The individual, if on parole,
probation, or awaiting a court hearing or sentencing, has proper clearance from
the court to participate in the program;
(4) The statewide office on homelessness
and housing solutions, or an agency contracted to administer the program,
contacts the family or support group of the individual and the family or
support group confirms their acceptance of the individual returning to their
home; and
(5) The individual's family or support
group agrees to pay for half of the cost of transportation for the individual
to return to the individual's home state; provided that this paragraph shall
not apply if the family or support group lacks the resources necessary to cover
half the cost of transportation for the individual; provided further that the
office or the agency contracted to administer the program shall verify the
family or support group's lack of resources before covering the entire flight
cost of the individual.
(c) An individual shall participate in the
return-to-home program only once and shall sign an agreement to this effect
before participating in the program. The
agreement shall be kept on file with the statewide office on homelessness and
housing solutions.
(d) The return-to-home program shall actively
seek the participation of local airlines, cruise lines, charter companies,
homeless programs, travel agencies, and the visitor industry to coordinate and
implement the program.
(e) The return-to-home program shall assist program participants with necessary and proper preparations for travel, including obtaining proper identification, accessing public transportation to the airport, providing orientation relating to airport security, and ensuring sufficient personal hygiene.
(f) The statewide office on homelessness and
housing solutions shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations
relating to the return-to-home program, including any proposed
legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session."
SECTION 3. Act 94, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, is repealed.
SECTION 4. 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 for the return-to-home program, including:
(1) One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position to assist and supervise the program; and
(2) Operation costs and other current expenses relating to the program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
OHHS; Homelessness; Return-to-Home Program; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to establish a permanent Return-to-Home Program to return homeless individuals in the State to families and relatives in their home states. Requires the Office to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.