Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 473, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require informational meetings as part of the county zoning permit process for group living facilities that house people released from a correctional facility or a mental health treatment institution, or are receiving substance abuse or sex offender treatment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety. Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hale Opio Kauai, Inc, and Hale Kipa, Inc. opposed the measure. The Department of the Attorney General identified problems in the measure, and the Community Alliance on Prisons provided comments.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Public Safety's two group living facilities received support from the surrounding neighborhoods and communities by meeting the necessary county zoning health and safety standards and holding public informational meetings. Your Committee believes that neighborhoods should be informed and participate in discussions about programs affecting their communities.

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. 473, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.