HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1640

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that homelessness is a critical issue in the State.  The legislature further finds that reducing the unemployment rate is an important step in addressing homelessness in Hawaii.  Proper training will enable a person to develop the skills necessary to be marketable in the workforce.  The lack of financial resources can often make receiving proper training unattainable.

     The purpose of this part is to address homelessness in the State by mandating that the department of labor and industrial relations establish a stipend program for unemployed persons who are currently enrolled in and receiving training from an employment training program approved by the department of labor and industrial relations.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Effective January 1,     , the department of labor and industrial relations shall establish a program that provides a stipend for unemployed persons who are currently enrolled in and receiving training from an employment training  program approved by the department of labor and industrial relations in accordance with subsection (b).

     (b)  In establishing the program, the department of labor and industrial relations shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which include:

     (1)  Eligibility requirements for the receipt of a training stipend;

     (2)  A list of approved employment training programs; and

     (3)  The stipend amount.

     (c)  The department of labor and industrial relations shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations on the program established by this part, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     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 2016-2017 to establish a stipend program for unemployed persons who are enrolled in job training programs approved by the department of labor and industrial relations, including     positions to administer the program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this part.

PART II

     SECTION 4.  The legislature finds that there is a shortage of affordable rental housing units to accommodate individuals and families requiring section 8 tenant-based housing assistance.  The legislature further finds that many landlords are hesitant to rent their property to section 8 tenants.  One of the concerns raised by landlords is the fear of not being able to recover the costs of repairing damage to their property when those costs exceed the amount of the security deposit.

     The purpose of this part is to encourage landlords to rent to section 8 tenants by requiring the Hawaii public housing authority to establish a program that offers dwelling insurance policies for landlords renting to section 8 tenants.

     SECTION 5.  (a)  The Hawaii public housing authority shall establish a program to offer dwelling insurance policies to landlords that rent their property to section 8 tenants beginning January 1,      .  The Hawaii public housing authority, with the cooperation of the department of commerce and consumer affairs, shall establish the framework for establishing the insurance program pursuant to this part.

     (b)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017, the Hawaii public housing authority shall submit a written report to the legislature consisting of its findings and recommendations to effectuate this part, including proposed legislation to establish the insurance program.

     SECTION 6.  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 2016-2017 to establish a program that offers dwelling insurance policies to landlords renting their property to Section 8 tenants, including       positions to administer the program.

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

PART III

     SECTION 7.  If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Homelessness; Insurance; Stipend; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a stipend program for qualified individuals currently enrolled in job training programs.  Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to establish a program to offer insurance policies to landlords who rent to Section 8 tenants.  Makes an appropriation.  (HB1640 HD1)

 

 

 

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