THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

10

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to housing.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that an inability to establish or corroborate the information required to establish a person's identity poses many problems, especially for a person who is homeless.  Many shelters require identification so that background checks may be conducted to ensure the safety of those in the shelter.  It often takes individuals several months to obtain new identification and for a person who is homeless, a lack of identification is a major obstacle in obtaining government benefits and housing.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the housing for the homeless special fund and executive office on homeless identity protection to assist homeless individuals with the process, including associated costs, of obtaining government-issued identification documents.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-A  Housing for the homeless special fund; established.  (a)  There is established in the state treasury the housing for the homeless special fund, into which shall be deposited any appropriations made by the legislature to the fund.

     (b)  The moneys from the fund shall be expended by the executive office on homeless identity protection to assist homeless individuals with the process, including associated costs, of obtaining government-issued identification documents.

     (c)  The department shall submit an expenditure report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

     (d)  The department shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 for the purposes of this section.

     §346-B  Executive office on homeless identity protection; director; general functions, duties, and powers.  (a)  There is established an executive office on homeless identity protection that shall be temporarily placed within the office of the governor; provided that on July 1, 2019, the executive office on homeless identity protection shall be permanently established within the department of human services for administrative purposes only.

     (b)  The head of the executive office on homeless identity protection shall be known as the director of the executive office on homeless identity protection, hereinafter referred to as the director.  The director shall:

     (1)  Be appointed by the governor, notwithstanding section 26-34 and chapter 76;

     (2)  Have professional training in the field of social work or other related fields;

     (3)  Have direct experience in programs or services related to the homeless;

     (4)  Have recent experience in a supervisory, consultative, or administrative position;

     (5)  Be paid a salary set by the governor that shall not exceed ninety per cent of the salary of the director of human resources development; and

     (6)  Be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.

     (c)  The director shall be responsible for:

     (1)  Employing, supervising, and directing staff as may be necessary for the purposes of this section;

     (2)  Establishing policies and procedures governing the operations of the office;

     (3)  Administering funds allocated to the office and applying for, receiving, and disbursing grants and donations from all sources to assist homeless individuals with the process, including associated costs, of obtaining government-issued identification documents; and

     (4)  Assessing the policies and practices of other agencies impacting the ability of homeless individuals to obtain government-issued identification documents.

     (d)  The office shall:

     (1)  Assist homeless individuals with the process, including associated costs, of obtaining government-issued identification documents; and

     (2)  Maintain records of requests for assistance and any related documents."

     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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to deposit to the credit of the housing for the homeless special fund.

     There is appropriated out of the housing for the homeless special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish the executive office on homeless identity protection for purposes of assisting homeless individuals with obtaining government-issued identification documents.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on homeless identity protection for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.


     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Executive Office on Homeless Identity Protection; Identification; Special Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the housing for the homeless special fund and executive office on homeless identity protection to assist homeless individuals with the process, including associated costs, of obtaining a government-issued identification document.  Makes an appropriation.

 

 

 

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