STAND. COM. REP. NO.  457

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1526

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1526 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INMATE REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase public safety by providing comprehensive support services and training to inmates and formerly incarcerated persons so that they may successfully reintegrate back into our communities.

     Specifically, the measure provides funds for a grant to Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. to develop and maintain inmate rehabilitation programs.

     A member of the Maui County Council, an Assistant Professor of Human Services from Maui Community College, the BEST Program Director from Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., and two individuals submitted testimony in support of the measure.  The Department of Public Safety offered comments.

     Your Committee finds that reentry programs such as the Maui Economic Opportunity's Being Empowered and Safe Together (BEST) reintegration program not only reduce recidivism rates, but also instill values and beliefs that empower persons who are preparing to return to the community after incarceration.  The BEST program provides intensive case management, training, counseling, mentoring, and assistance with employment, housing, and family reunification so that formerly incarcerated persons can have the support they need to become productive, law abiding citizens.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing the effective date to July 1, 2015 to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1526, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1526, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair