Hawaii Senate Bill SR187

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Urging The County Police Departments And The State To Take Action To Deter Homeless Individuals From Returning To Public Areas After Sweeps For At Least Thirty Days.

Impact

The resolution reflects a growing concern among lawmakers regarding the effectiveness of current approaches to managing homeless populations, notably the sweeps conducted by local authorities. Critics of the sweeps argue they fail to address the root causes of homelessness and merely relocate individuals without providing a pathway to support services. The resolution calls for a strategic approach to ensure that the actions taken post-sweep could provide the homeless community with a chance to reconsider their circumstances, potentially leading to more permanent solutions.

Summary

Senate Resolution 187 urges county police departments and the State of Hawaii to implement measures that would deter homeless individuals from returning to public areas for at least thirty days after they have been swept from these locations. The resolution addresses a pressing issue of homelessness in Hawaii, indicating a need for more effective management of homeless encampments that often populate parks and other public spaces. Law enforcement officials suggest that this period of restriction may prompt affected individuals to seek assistance or alternative solutions rather than returning to the same areas immediately post-sweep.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SR187 is the underlying effectiveness of the proposed measures. Proponents believe that enforcing a thirty-day prohibition on returning will make public spaces more manageable and encourage homeless individuals to seek help. Conversely, opponents argue that such measures could further marginalize vulnerable populations and fail to offer real solutions to homelessness. Additionally, with a significant Supreme Court case concerning homelessness on the horizon, the implications of these actions could resonate beyond state borders, potentially influencing future legislative approaches nationwide.