STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2956

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2224

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GROUP HOMES,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish a registry for clean and sober homes within the Department of Health;

 

     (2)  Make an appropriation for the staffing and operating costs to plan, establish, and operate the registry of clean and sober homes; and

 

     (3)  Amend the statutes on county zoning to better align functions of state and county jurisdictions with federal law.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Public Safety; Department of Planning and Permitting, City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; and two individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that clean and sober homes, which are located in communities throughout the State, provide housing for individuals struggling with substance abuse, including those who may have mental health issues, as they transition from the treatment setting to life in the community.  Your Committees further find that stable housing is a critical component in the continuum of substance abuse treatment and recovery.

 

     However, neighboring residents have expressed concerns over the location and operation of clean and sober homes in their neighborhoods.  In response to these concerns, the Director of Health convened the Clean and Sober Homes and Halfway Houses Task Force to explore ways to ensure that these homes are properly monitored and accountable for meeting occupancy, zoning, and permitting requirements and quality standards. 

 

     Your Committees find that this measure is a product of a two-year process during which the knowledge and expertise of public and private agencies were elicited.  This measure will help residents access stable, alcohol- and drug-free living environments in residences that are in compliance with federal, state, and county requirements and minimum quality standards.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2014; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2224, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair