Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2448 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to compensate family members of murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide victims for mental health counseling services.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawaii, and Sex Abuse Treatment Center.

Your Committee finds that there is a significant gap in the current provisions of Hawaii's Crime Victims Compensation statute as a lack of coverage exists for the families of victims of crimes resulting in the death of the victim. Of particular concern is the inability to provide compensation to cover counseling expenses when a relative has witnessed the events that lead to the victim's death. Your Committee finds that the mental health counseling provided for in this measure is essential to the survivors' recovery.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2448 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.