HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

291

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

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 purpose of this Act is to require the auditor, with the assistance of the department of human services, to conduct a study to assess the impact of using medicaid funds to provide coverage for the treatment for homelessness.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The auditor, with the assistance of the department of human services, shall conduct a study to assess the impact of using medicaid funds to provide coverage for the treatment for homelessness, including the costs to provide coverage for the chronically homeless population in the State.

     (b)  The auditor shall submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.

     (c)  For the purposes of this Act, "treatment" or "treatment for homelessness" includes:

     (1)  Behavioral health services, including mental health and substance abuse services;

     (2)  Case management;

     (3)  Personal care and personal assistance services;

     (4)  Home and community-based services; and

     (5)  Housing services.

     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 2021-2022 for the purpose of conducting a study to assess the impact of using medicaid funds to provide coverage for the treatment for homelessness; provided that:

(1)  No funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended unless matched dollar-for-dollar with federal funds; and

(2)  The department of human services may assist the auditor in pursuing federal funds for the purpose of conducting the study.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Homelessness; Treatment; Auditor; Study; Medicaid; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the auditor, with the assistance of the department of human services, to conduct a study to assess the impact of using medicaid funds to provide coverage for the treatment for homelessness, subject to federal matching funds.  Requires the auditor to submit a report to the legislature.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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