HB 2259 Summary

• Establishes a 4-year pilot program within the Department of Human Services to provide housing and child care vouchers to persons completing incarceration who have or will have sole or primary custody of children under age 18.

• Applicants must be Hawaii residents age 18+, scheduled for release within 6 months or released within the preceding 6 months, and demonstrate verified need and either verified employment or enrollment in substance abuse treatment, parenting skills, or educational programs.

• Voucher recipients receive full subsidy of housing or child care expenses for first 3 months, then must contribute a portion of monthly income; assistance continues for up to 2 years if recipient maintains at least 20 hours per week of verified employment or combined employment and program participation.

• Department must submit interim report to legislature by January 2024 and final report by January 2026 with program statistics on applicants, recipients, compliance rates, and voucher values.

• Program terminates June 30, 2026; appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2022-2023 for voucher payments.