Bill Text: HI SB2885 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Homelessness.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-26 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-26-24 4:55 PM; CR 329. [SB2885 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2885-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2885 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
S.D. 2 |
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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 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.
"Triage" is recognized as an evidence-based practice to end the cycle of homelessness and provides an assessment of a person's disorders, need for medication-assisted detoxification, and timely psychiatric treatment. The lack of a triage service has been a major gap in the State's system of behavioral health care for homeless persons and others having mental illness or substance abuse issues. When a person is ready and seeking treatment, they should be able to access it immediately. This is particularly true for those who suffer from substance use disorders for whom the window of contemplation about the benefits of treatment is often brief and fleeting. The safety and constant supervision available in a triage center are a stark contrast to the chaos and vulnerability individuals experience on the street. Trauma-informed services in the community foster active client participation and support, which are critical to effective engagement in treatment and in patient retention.
The legislature also finds that the 'Imi Ola Piha Homeless Triage Center, piloted by the Institute for Human Services and operating since June 5, 2023, has been successful in moving homeless from the street to permanent housing. Within six months of operation, through collaborating with police, outreach specialists, and other community providers, the eight-bed service site has triaged over one hundred fifty referrals. Of the eighty-three clients in intake, the Homeless Triage Center has detoxed sixty-three clients and stabilized the mental illness of thirty-five clients. The Homeless Triage Center has also transitioned those detoxed and stabilized into housing or shelter, enabling continued treatment in the community.
The successful pilot program can do more 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) Establish within the statewide office of homelessness and housing solutions in the department of human services a working group to develop a triage center program that focuses on serving homeless individuals having substance abuse issues or mental illness; and
(2) Appropriate funds to the department of human services.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the statewide office of homelessness and housing solutions a working group to develop a triage center program that focuses on serving homeless individuals having substance abuse issues or mental illness.
(b) The triage center program shall provide:
(1) Access to emergency food, shelter, housing navigation, and supportive services, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week;
(2) 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 working group shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The governor's senior advisor for mental health and the justice system, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;
(2) The governor's coordinator on homelessness, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;
(3) One representative of the judiciary;
(4) One representative from the department of health;
(5) One representative from the department of human services;
(6) Two members who shall be appointed by the president of the senate;
(7) Two members who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(8) A representative of Partners in Care, Oahu's Continuum of Care, to be invited by the co-chairs of the working group; and
(9) A representative of Bridging the Gap, Continuum of Care of Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai, to be invited by the co-chairs of the working group.
(d) The working group shall report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.
(e) The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.
(f) No member of the working group shall be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the member's participation in the working group.
(g) The working group shall cease to exist on .
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 triage center program working group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DHS; Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Homeless Triage Center Program; Working Group; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a homeless triage center program working group within the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions in the Department of Human Services. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
