STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3455

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 6
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred
S.C.R. No. 6, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT
     OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT OR DIVISION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to urge the
Judiciary, in consultation with other departments and agencies,
as appropriate, to establish by internal administrative action, a
domestic violence court or division to promote:

     (1)  Immediate and consistent response to domestic violence
          crimes;

     (2)  Intensive monitoring of defendants' compliance with
          court orders, so that violations result in a swift
          response;

     (3)  Oversight of victim safety through victim advocacy;

     (4)  Continuous judicial supervision of cases and improved
          use of technology in gathering information; and

     (5)  Sharing of resources for interagency collaboration.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3455
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     Your Committee finds that a domestic violence court created
to focus specifically on domestic violence cases would provide
improved, expeditious judicial handling of these cases and a
unified approach to all stages of domestic violence.  In
addition, your Committee finds that a domestic violence court or
division would improve the quality of life for victims, their
children, and the community by promoting victim safety and
support and defendant accountability.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 6,
S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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