Bill Text: HI HB2309 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Homelessness.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB2309 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2309-Amended.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2309
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		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.  The legislature finds that according to the 2022 Homeless Counts by State, the State of Hawaii is ranked fourth in the nation for highest rates of homelessness.  The 2023 Oahu Point in Time Count reported that among homeless persons:  thirty-six per cent were chronically homeless; thirty-one per cent suffer from substance abuse problems; thirty-nine per cent reported a mental illness; sixty-two per cent reported one or more disabling conditions; and twenty-eight per cent reported a physical, developmental, or other disability.

     The legislature further finds that homeless individuals suffering from behavioral health conditions are often high users of the hospital emergency departments, which costs the State's health system millions of dollars each year for emergency ambulance transportation and emergency mental health evaluations.  Providing appropriate care for these individuals requires clinical expertise to evaluate their physical and mental impairments and to assist in overcoming barriers to access proper medical treatment and resources to meet the basic needs like food, hygiene, safety, and transportation.

     The legislature additionally finds that more can be done to support existing crisis intervention programs to reduce the cost of restoring homeless persons to normalcy and independence.  According to Oahu's 2023 Point in Time Count, there are 1,602 homeless persons reporting substance abuse or mental health issues.  The average cost of detoxification per year is $1,536 for outpatients and $58,810 for residential patients, while the costs for emergency transport and treatment total $3,633 per year.  Saving 1,602 patients from outpatient rehab visits or diverting them from emergency medical treatment could save the State upwards of $2,460,672 and $5,820,066, respectively.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Support existing crisis intervention programs by implementing a homeless triage center program for homeless individuals and individuals at risk of being homeless within the alcohol and drug abuse division in the department of health; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to the department of health to implement a homeless triage center program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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

     (b)  The homeless triage center program shall provide:

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

     (2)  Mobile outreach and case management services;

     (3)  Medical assessments;

     (4)  Substance abuse treatment and detoxification services;

     (5)  Behavioral health services; and

     (6)  Trauma-informed, cultural-based life skills groups for shelter guests 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 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 center program."

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     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 2024-2025 to implement the homeless triage center program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

DOH; Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division; Homeless Triage Center Program; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a Homeless Triage Center Program within the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Appropriates funds.  Takes effect 12/31/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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