Report Title:

Homeless; Return Home

 

Description:

Assists the homeless in reuniting with their families. (HB1187 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1187

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO THE HOMELESS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that many homeless persons are presently stranded in the state and are separated from their families and relatives in their home state but lack independent financial resources to reunite with those family members.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a return-to-home program for the homeless.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"     .  RETURN-TO-HOME PROGRAM

     §356D-    Return-to-home program.  (a)  There is established within the authority a voluntary homeless assistance program to be known as the return-to-home program, to provide the eligible homeless with assistance in being reunited with their families and relatives in the person's home state.  The authority shall administer the program and adopt the standards and framework necessary to implement the program.

     (b)  No person who is homeless shall be eligible to participate in the program unless:

     (1)  The person's participation is completely voluntary;

     (2)  The person has a support system in place in the person's home state that is willing to receive and accommodate the person;

     (3)  The person, if on parole, probation, or awaiting a court hearing or sentencing, has proper clearance from the court to participate in the program; and

     (4)  The person is indigent and lacks the financial resources necessary to secure transportation to return to the person's home state.

     (c)  The authority shall actively seek the participation of local airlines, cruise lines, charter companies, homeless programs, travel agencies, and the visitor industry to implement and coordinate the program.

     (d)  The authority shall also assist program participants with necessary and proper preparations for the return trip, including proper identification, orientation relating to airport security, and the basics of personal care, and shall follow up with them within one month of their return to their home state to assess their efforts at successful reunification with their families and relatives."

     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 2009-2010 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for implementing the costs of the return-to-home program, including program costs and the hiring of necessary staff.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2046.