HB 1281 Summary

• Establishes a three-year Homeless Employment Pilot Program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to connect homeless individuals with work opportunities, pay them for hours worked, and link them to housing and service providers.

• Participants in the pilot program are not considered State employees, and the State is immune from liability for claims arising from planning and administration of the program.

• Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to report to the legislature by 20 days before the 2018 regular session on program progress, findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation.

• Directs the auditor to conduct a study assessing the impact of using Medicaid funds for homelessness treatment (behavioral health, case management, housing services, etc.) and report findings to the legislature by 20 days before the 2018 regular session.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to review the Hawaii Pathways Project pilot, pursue Medicaid expansion for supportive housing services for chronically homeless individuals, and report to the legislature on eligibility criteria and proposed amendments to the state 1115 Medicaid waiver by 20 days before the 2018 regular session.