Draft bill would create statewide regional shelter program, advisory panel and transition funds

Legislative counsel on Monday walked lawmakers through a draft bill to create a statewide program to coordinate emergency, temporary and transitional shelter services under the Agency of Human Services.

The draft — described by counsel as a framework rather than a finished product — would establish a new statutory chapter that designates regional resource organizations (RROs) to provide temporary emergency shelter and transitional shelter, creates an extreme‑weather congregate shelter grant run through a statewide municipal organization, and sets up a time‑limited advisory committee to guide implementation.

“Regional resource organization” in the draft means an entity designated by the department to lead its assigned region’s response to unsheltered homelessness. RROs would be responsible for operating or arranging shelter using community‑based shelters, leased buildings, motel or hotel blocks, or master lease arrangements; providing case management; and preparing regional needs assessments to guide funding allocations.

Eligibility for the temporary emergency and transitional shelter components would be limited to…