Report Title:

Native Hawaiians; Homelessness

 

Description:

Establishes a task force on homelessness among Native Hawaiians.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

903

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Native Hawaiians constitute a substantial percentage of homeless persons in Hawaii.  There is an immediate need for a coordinated effort to combat homelessness among Native Hawaiians.  The purpose of this Act is to convene and fund a task force to investigate and make recommendations for actions to be taken to significantly reduce homelessness among Native Hawaiians.  The task force shall document, to the extent possible, the current status of homelessness among Native Hawaiians in the State, and explore certain areas for possible action.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the task force on homelessness among Native Hawaiians, within the office of Hawaiian affairs for administrative purposes only.

     (b)  The task force shall be comprised of nineteen members to be appointed by the administrator without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the administrator shall make reasonable efforts to include in the task force members that represent a mix of entities that serve Native Hawaiians who are homeless, entities that have knowledge about homelessness among Native Hawaiians, and geographical locations.

     (c)  The task force shall convene subcommittees that address each of the following topics:

     (1)  The nature, extent, patterns, and circumstances of homelessness among Native Hawaiians in the State;

     (2)  Methods for increasing the availability of, and access to, low-income rental housing for Native Hawaiians;

     (3)  Potential areas for greater county involvement in addressing homelessness among Native Hawaiians;

     (4)  The development of approaches to homelessness that are culturally appropriate to certain communities and that do not simply rely on building large shelters; and

     (5)  Techniques for identifying and supporting those homeless Native Hawaiians who are in the best position to transition out of shelters into more suitable housing accommodations.

     Each subcommittee shall include and obtain input from stakeholders, qualified individuals with knowledge, expertise, and experience in the relevant fields pertaining to the specific topic, and any other individuals as may be determined necessary by the task force.

     (d)  The task force shall consider each subcommittee's recommendations and propose a plan for reducing homelessness among Native Hawaiians.

     (e)  In carrying out its duties under this section, the task force on homelessness among Native Hawaiians may request staff assistance from the office of Hawaiian affairs and other appropriate state departments and agencies.  The task force may contract with or hire a private consultant, who shall be exempt from chapters 76, 78, and 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or consulting firm to assist the task force in performing its duties as provided in this Act.

     (f)  The task force on homelessness shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the task force shall make a good faith effort to make its proceedings and work products accessible and available to the general public in a manner consistent with the intent of chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (g)  The task force shall be exempt from the requirements of chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (h)  Each of the nineteen members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     (i)  The task force shall submit a report of 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 2010.  The task force shall continue until terminated by the office of Hawaiian affairs.

     SECTION 3.  For purposes of this Act, "Native Hawaiians" means persons who are native Hawaiian or Hawaiian as defined in section 10-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     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 2009-2010 for the task force on homelessness among Native Hawaiians.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

By Request