STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2741

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2587

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2587 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GROUP HOMES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide individuals with access to an alcohol- and drug-free, home-like living environment.

 

The measure facilitates access to residences that are in compliance with federal, state, and county requirements and minimum standards by:

 

     (1)  Establishing a registry for clean and sober homes within the Department of Health;

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds to establish the registry;

 

     (3)  Amending the statute on county zoning to better align the functions of state and county jurisdictions to comply with federal law; and

 

     (4)  Excluding clean and sober homes from the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of the measure from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition.  The Behavioral Health Administration of the Department of Health and the Office of Consumer Protection of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted written comments on the measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure supports the State's continued efforts to provide a stable living environment for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the provisions excluding clean and sober homes from the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective dates to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2587, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2587, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair