RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

HB1218

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1218

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to homelessness
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that many homeless
persons thrive when they have ready access to familiar support groups and
loving family members.
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In Hawaii, some
homeless persons are currently stranded in the State, far from their families,
because they lack the financial resources to return home.

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The legislature recognizes that
Hawaii has limited resources for human services, and some homeless persons may
find that their families or home states are better equipped to provide long-term
care and support.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to:

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(1)
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Establish and
appropriate moneys for a return-to-home program to provide travel expenses and
relocation assistance for eligible persons who wish to return to their home
states; and

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(2)
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Require the
department of human services to develop and implement a public information
campaign related to the State's residency requirements and return-to-home
program.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part XVII to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

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"
�346-
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Return-to-home program.
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(a)
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There is established within
the department the return-to-home program to provide travel expenses and
relocation assistance for eligible persons who wish to return to
their
home states.

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(b)
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For purposes of the program, the department
shall:

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(1)
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Establish a
public-private partnership by contracting with eligible nonprofit
organizations, for-profit organizations, or foundations to administer the
program without regard to chapters 103D and 103F;

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(2)
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Seek the
participation of local airlines, passenger ship lines, charter companies,
travel agencies, and the visitor industry;

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(3)
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Coordinate with
federal programs, including the United States Repatriation Program, to maximize
resources and avoid a duplication of services;

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(4)
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Seek assistance
and input from the governor's coordinator on homelessness; and

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(5)
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Work with
homeless outreach programs to ensure that persons who wish to participate are
made aware of the program and that vulnerable populations, including victims of
domestic violence or human trafficking, are not involuntarily displaced.

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(c)
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A
person shall be eligible to participate in the return-to-home program if the
person:

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(1)
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Agrees to
participate in the program voluntarily;

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(2)
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Maintains legal
residence in a state other than Hawaii;

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(3)
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Has no
verifiable permanent address in Hawaii;

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(4)
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Lacks financial
independence, including a return ticket or the financial means to return home;

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(5)
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Is unemployed;
and

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(6)
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Is reliant, or
at risk of becoming reliant, on state assistance programs;

provided that a person having at least one
dependent child who resides in the State, or a person receiving medical
treatment that cannot be interrupted, shall not be eligible to participate in
the program.

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(d)
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The department shall verify the information
required by subsection (c) to prevent fraudulent claims or involuntary displacement
and shall allow a person who is made a participant in the program without the
person's consent, or a person who wishes to participate in the program but is denied
eligibility, to immediately appeal the decision.

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(e)
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The department shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations, including the number of return-to-home program participants
for the previous year, costs, program outcomes, and any proposed legislation,
to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each
regular session.

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(f)
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For the purposes of this section:

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"Home state" means a person's
legal state of residence.

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"Permanent address"
means a verifiable physical residence that a person owns, rents, or resides in
with family.

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"State assistance
programs" includes housing subsidies, unemployment benefits, or any other
form of public aid or welfare.
"

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SECTION 3.
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No later than
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, the department of human services shall
develop and implement a public information campaign to:

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(1)
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Inform new
arrivals to Hawaii about the State's requirements for establishing legal residency;
and

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(2)
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Inform communities
that might benefit from the return-to-home program about the program's
availability and eligibility criteria.

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SECTION 4.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the return-to-home program and public
information campaign required by this Act.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services
for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION
5.
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New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025;
provided that part II of this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHS;
Homelessness; Return-to-Home; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a return-to-home
program within the Department of Human Services to provide travel expenses and
relocation assistance for eligible persons who wish to return to their home
states.
�
Requires the Department to
develop and implement a public information campaign related to the State's
residency requirements and return-to-home program.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.