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. 780 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to propose a constitutional amendment to add a section on crime victim's rights.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The Public Defender submitted comments.

Your Committee notes that current statutory law provides for the same kind of rights as provided in this measure. Chapter 801D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relates to rights of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings. This measure would essentially enshrine statutory law into the constitution. Your Committee further notes that thirty-two states have some type of constitutional provision protecting victims' rights, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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. 780, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 780, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.