Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 781 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the authority of police officers and deputy sheriffs to quarantine individuals or groups when required by the Department of Health.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Safety, and the Oahu Civil Defense Agency for the City and County of Honolulu.

Under current law, law enforcement personnel are expressly authorized to remove infected persons or take such measures as may be necessary for the public health and safety. It is unclear what these other measures include. This bill makes it clear that police officers and deputy sheriffs, in addition to removal, can restrict or confine the movement of persons when required by the Department of Health.

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. 781 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.