HI HB1218

Establishes a return-to-home program within the Department of Human Services to provide travel expenses and relocation assistance for eligible homeless persons who wish to return to their home states.

Requires the Department to create public-private partnerships with nonprofits, for-profits, and foundations to administer the program, and to coordinate with airlines, travel companies, and federal programs like the United States Repatriation Program.

Limits eligibility to persons who voluntarily participate, maintain legal residence outside Hawaii, lack a permanent Hawaii address, lack financial means to return home, are unemployed, and rely or are at risk of relying on state assistance; excludes persons with dependent children in Hawaii or receiving necessary medical treatment.

Requires the Department to implement a public information campaign by an unspecified date informing new arrivals about Hawaii's residency requirements and communities about the program's availability and eligibility criteria.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for the program and public information campaign; effective July 1, 2025.