Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1120, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include first and second degree penal sanctions against any person who intentionally or recklessly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical or mental welfare of a person who is unable to care for himself because of a physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Police Department, Attorney General, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and Honolulu Police Department. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Aging and the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that adult abuse is a serious problem and that while it is vital there be adequate preventive measures in place, sanctions such as those proposed by this measure can serve as a deterrent and send a clear message to potential offenders that abusive actions will not be tolerated especially against those considered vulnerable.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1120, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.