Appropriates funds to continue the efforts of the domestic violence working group in examining the criminal justice response to domestic violence, identifying programs, and proposing, facilitating, and coordinating the implementation of effective solutions.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that domestic violence continues to be the greatest threat to the safety and welfare of families in our community. In 1999, the legislature established the domestic violence working group (working group), pursuant to H.C.R. No. 65, H.D. 1, to review the policies and procedures of the criminal justice system as they relate to domestic violence among adults.

Subsequently, the working group submitted a report to the twentieth legislature, entitled "Domestic Violence and the Criminal Justice System in Hawaii," which identified problematic areas within the criminal justice system, as they relate to domestic violence, and proposed recommendations for future action. Some of the recommendations of the working group include improvements to the criminal justice system that require the monitoring and assessment of efforts to implement the proposed system changes.

The legislature further finds that there remain critical issues regarding the criminal justice response to domestic violence that are of such a complex and deep rooted nature that they require more time and resources to develop and propose effective solutions. The working group has demonstrated an ability to effectively examine these problematic issues and propose promising solutions, using a broad-based and collaborative approach.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the financial support necessary to ensure the continue the efforts of the domestic violence working group in examining the criminal justice response to domestic violence and proposing workable solutions.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to support the continued efforts of the domestic violence working group in examining the criminal justice response to domestic violence, identifying problems, and proposing, facilitating, and coordinating the implementation of effective solutions.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.