RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

SB2563

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2563

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

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 for decades, policies and practices within the State of
Hawaiʻi and its counties have increasingly relied on criminalization,
enforcement, and displacement to address homelessness, including the use of
anti-camping laws, park exclusions, encampment sweeps, and other punitive
measures.
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These approaches have failed
to reduce homelessness and have instead left individuals and families
experiencing homelessness with fewer lawful places to exist, rest, and meet
basic human needs.

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The legislature further finds that such
policies have contributed to cycles of instability, trauma, and mistrust,
particularly among those who have experienced repeated displacement, citation,
or arrest for activities essential to survival.
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As a result, many individuals experiencing homelessness avoid government
systems and service providers out of fear, creating barriers to care, housing,
and recovery.

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The legislature recognizes that
homelessness is not a crime, but a condition arising from complex factors
including housing shortages, rising costs of living, economic instability,
health challenges, and systemic inequities.
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Addressing homelessness requires compassionate, humane, and
evidence-based responses that prioritize dignity, safety, and voluntary
participation.

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The legislature further finds that access
to basic sanitation, nutrition, and personal safety is foundational to human
dignity and public health.
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The absence
of safe and welcoming places to shower, eat, rest, and receive services
undermines individual well-being and hinders successful connections to housing,
healthcare, employment, and behavioral health supports.

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The legislature acknowledges that trust is
essential to effective service delivery.
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Individuals who have experienced homelessness often require consistent,
non-punitive, and trauma-informed environments in order to rebuild trust and
willingly engage with assistance.
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Safe
spaces that are not contingent upon law enforcement involvement or coercion are
critical to fostering that trust.

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Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a Homelessness Sanctuary Program to provide voluntary, low-barrier,
and safe spaces where unhoused women and young children may meet basic needs,
including access to showers, meals, hygiene facilities, and supportive
services, and may be connected to housing, healthcare, and other
resources.
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The program is intended to
replace fear with stability, exclusion with inclusion, and punishment with
pathways toward recovery and self-sufficiency.

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SECTION 2.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"
Chapter
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HomelessNEss SANCTUARY PILOT PROGRAM"

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(a)
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There is established a homelessness sanctuary pilot program to provide a
safe location on designated lands for unhoused women and young children, under
the age of ten.
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The program shall be
administered by the 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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The coordinator on homelessness shall designate a specific location for
the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.
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The state, county, federal, or private partners having jurisdiction over
the land shall work with the 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 nearshore resources such as
corals, reef fish, and seabirds.

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(c)
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The location designated pursuant to subsection (b) shall serve as a safe
location for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, to reside
and access services.
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The 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;

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(2)
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Coordinate
to provide the following accommodations 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;

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(F)
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Solid
waste collection and disposal;

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(G)
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Open
land area with sufficient space for facility activities;

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(H)
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Perimeter
fencing; and

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(I)
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Onsite
security;

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(3)
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Allow
for residents to set up additional, individual tents as needed;

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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; and

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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, sexual misconduct, and obscenities.

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(d)
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The 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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Medical
attention;

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(2)
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Mental
health services;

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(3)
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Domestic
abuse treatment;

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(4)
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Assistance
in obtaining birth certificates or state IDs;

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(5)
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Assistance
enrolling in Med-QUEST and the Coordinated Entry System;

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(6)
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Case
management with a social worker;

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(7)
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Workshop
areas for job training;

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(8)
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Education
opportunities;

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(9)
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Gardening;

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(10)
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Childcare
to allow residents with children to seek and maintain employment;

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(11)
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Transportation
for children to attend school; and

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(12)
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Transportation
for residents to access bus and rail services that allow residents to more
easily access their places of employment.

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Subject to available funds, the 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 coordinator on homelessness may work with volunteers, 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 next regular
session after program initiation and each year thereafter, the coordinator on
homelessness shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

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(1)
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Progress
the State has made in establishing the homelessness sanctuary pilot program;

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(2)
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As
applicable, the number of unhoused women and young children, under the age of
ten, 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
extended or 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 thirty-six
months from its implementation.

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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, county, federal, or private land designated for the
homelessness sanctuary pilot program pursuant to subsection (b).

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"Homeless" and
"unhoused" have 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 unhoused
person who lives at or receives services from the homelessness sanctuary pilot
program.

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SECTION 3.
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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
2026-2027 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, 2029, shall lapse as of that
date.

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SECTION 4.
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Beginning with fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year thereafter,
the department of human services shall establish the homelessness pilot program
as a separate line item within the department's budget.

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SECTION 5.
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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 6.
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This Act shall take effect upon approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Unhoused;
At-Risk; Women and Young Children; Coordinator on Homelessness; Sanctuary Pilot
Program; DHS; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a three-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program to be administered by the
Coordinator on Homelessness on designated land for the pilot program, which
shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children, under the
age of ten, to reside and access services.
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Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner
agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated
location.
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Requires reporting to the
Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.