Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 721 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for the Domestic Violence Working Group (Group).

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Attorney General, Department of Public Safety, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, Hawai'i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Honolulu Police Department, and two private citizens.

The Group was established pursuant to H.C.R. 65, Regular Session of 1999, to review the policies and procedures of the criminal justice system as they relate to domestic violence among adults. The Group must continue to examine critical issues that are so complex and deep rooted that the Group needs more time and resources to propose effective solutions.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting a sum of $10,000 for an appropriation in each fiscal year, and specifying the members of the Group.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 721, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 721, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.