STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1045-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2344

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2344, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MINORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the circumstances under which minors may consent to no cost emergency shelter and related services to include the requirement that the provider supplying shelter is licensed to do so for minors or adults and is in compliance with zoning and safety regulations; and

(2) Require the Department of Human Services to make every effort to ensure that every island has a shelter for unaccompanied minors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Youth Services Network, Residential Youth Services and Empowerment, IMUAlliance, and ten individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports youth experiencing homelessness by increasing opportunities for homeless youth to access shelters and related services and independently consent to these services.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised in testimony by the Hawaii Youth Services Network regarding the risk of abuse and exploitation and lack of services and staffing for unaccompanied minors in facilities that are designed to serve chronically homeless adults, many of which may have serious mental health and substance abuse issues.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2344, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2344, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair