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HB1338
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1338
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO HOMELESSNESS
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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(a)
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There
is established a homelessness sanctuary pilot program to provide a safe
location on public lands for homeless individuals and families.
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The program shall be administered by the
governor's coordinator on homelessness in coordination with the department of
human services and the city and county of Honolulu.
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(b)
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No later than November 1, 2025, the governor's
coordinator on homelessness shall designate a specific location on state or
county land for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.
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The state or county agency having
jurisdiction over the land shall work with the governor's coordinator on
homelessness to:
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(1)
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Ensure that the location has sufficient
infrastructure to support the pilot program; and
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(2)
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Minimize adverse impacts to the environment,
including to nearshore resources such as corals, reef fish, and seabirds.
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(c)
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The location designated by the State and city
and county of Honolulu pursuant to subsection (b) shall serve as a safe location
for homeless individuals and families to reside and access services.
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The governor's coordinator on homelessness,
department of human services, and city and county of Honolulu shall:
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(1)
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Open the location for habitation and provision
of services no later than January 1, 2026;
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(2)
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Coordinate to provide the following facilities
at the designated location:
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(A)
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A
central tent for shelter;
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(B)
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A
parking area at which residents may:
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(i)
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Park their vehicles; and
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(ii)
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Sleep in their vehicles, if the residents
choose to do so;
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(C)
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Restroom and shower facilities;
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(D)
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Lockers and storage space;
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(E)
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Laundry facilities; and
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(F)
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Solid waste collection and disposal;
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(3)
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Allow for residents to set up additional, individual
tents as needed by the residents;
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(4)
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Partner with nonprofit organizations and other
entities to provide at least one meal per day to each resident;
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(5)
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Allow residents to be accompanied by pet
animals;
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(6)
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Establish volunteer and employment opportunities
for residents; provided that:
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(A)
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Residents employed under this paragraph shall
be paid not less than the minimum wage; and
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(B)
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Volunteer and employment opportunities, to the
extent possible, shall focus on clean-up activities, vegetation control,
painting, and other tasks for which the state and county governments are
experiencing a backlog; and
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(7)
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To the extent possible, establish a
zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs, violence, and obscenities.
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(d)
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The governor's coordinator on homelessness
shall survey residents to determine other facilities and services that residents
need or desire, including:
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(1)
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Workshop areas for job training;
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(2)
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Education opportunities;
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(3)
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Gardening;
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(4)
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Childcare to allow residents with children to
seek and maintain employment;
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(5)
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Transportation for children to attend school;
and
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(6)
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Transportation for residents to access bus and
rail services that allow residents to more easily access their places of
employment.
Subject to available funds, the governor's
coordinator on homelessness and the coordinator's partner agencies may offer
facilities and services identified by residents as high priority needs or
desires under this subsection.
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(e)
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The state homelessness coordinator may
contract with qualified churches, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and
other entities pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the
purposes of this Act.
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(f)
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No later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular sessions of 2026, 2027, and 2028, the governor's
coordinator on homelessness shall submit a report to the legislature that
includes:
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(1)
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Progress the State and city and county of
Honolulu have made in establishing the homelessness sanctuary pilot program;
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(2)
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The number of homeless individuals and
families served by the program;
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(3)
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An evaluation of the homelessness sanctuary
pilot program to determine whether the objectives of the program have been met
or exceeded;
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(4)
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An assessment of the impact of the
homelessness sanctuary pilot program on the homelessness problem in Hawaii;
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(5)
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An accounting of the expenditure of moneys
appropriated by this Act, including a summary of any contracts entered into
pursuant to subsection (e);
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(6)
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A recommendation of whether the homelessness
sanctuary pilot program should be made permanent; and
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(7)
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Any other findings and recommendations,
including any proposed legislation.
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(g)
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The homelessness sanctuary pilot program
shall cease to exist on December 31, 2027.
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(h)
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As used in this section:
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"County"
means the city and county of Honolulu.
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"Designated
location" means the location on state or county land designated for the
homelessness sanctuary pilot program pursuant to subsection (b).
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"Homeless"
has the same meaning as in section 346-361, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
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"Pet
animal" has the same meaning as in section 711-1100, Hawaii Revised
Statutes.
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"Resident"
means a homeless person who lives at or receives services from the homelessness
sanctuary pilot program.
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SECTION 2.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the homelessness sanctuary pilot
program.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the
purposes of this Act; provided that the appropriation made by this section
shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is
made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as
of June 30, 2027, shall lapse as of that date.
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SECTION 3.
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Notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, the governor may transfer all or a portion of the appropriation in
this section to other state or county agencies for expenditures incurred to
implement the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Homelessness;
Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; DHS; City and County of Honolulu;
Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
a 2-year
homelessness sanctuary pilot program, to be administered by the
Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness in coordination with the Department of
Human Services and the City and County of Honolulu.
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Directs the Governor's Coordinator on
Homelessness to designate a specific location on state or county land for the
pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for homeless individuals
and families to reside and access services.
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Requires the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and the
coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services at
the designated location.
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Requires
reports to the Legislature.
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Sunsets 12/31/2027.
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Appropriates moneys.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.