HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

718

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to foster youth.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-      Housing assistance program for former foster youth.  (a)  The department shall develop and administer a program to assist former foster youth to understand the housing options available to them and access appropriate housing options as necessary once a former foster youth has attained eighteen years of age.  The housing assistance program shall, at minimum:

     (1)  Identify former foster youth who have attained eighteen years of age and maintain a registry for program use;

     (2)  Notify former foster youth of the program and the services that can be accessed within the program;

     (3)  Provide former foster youth with information regarding any available housing options, including public housing, federal and state rental assistance programs, and federal and state housing programs;

     (4)  Assist former foster youth to obtain any necessary documentation required to access any of the programs referred to in paragraph (3);

     (5)  Assist former foster youth to fill out any forms or registration necessary to access any available housing options; and

     (6)  Provide former foster youth with counseling and guidance regarding housing issues.

     (b)  In developing and implementing the housing assistance program, the department shall consult and coordinate with other relevant state agencies, including the Hawaii public housing authority and the Hawaii housing and finance development corporation.

     (c)  As used in this section, "former foster youth" shall have the same meaning as in section 346-16.

     (d)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, including standards and procedures, to effectuate the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 2.  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 2011-2012 for the department of human services to develop and administer a housing assistance program for former foster youth.

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

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 



 

Report Title:

Former Foster Youth; Housing

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and administer a program assisting former foster youth with housing options.

 

 

 

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