STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3012

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1818

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1818, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to assist incarcerated young men and women in the State, especially those of Hawaiian descent, by implementing programs to reduce recidivism and to improve inmate reintegration into the community.

Specifically, this measure authorizes the Department of Public Safety to offer reentry/reintegration programs within Hawaii's correctional facilities that include cognitive behavioral therapy with cultural and other interventions to address domestic violence, addictions, self-mastery through identity, and community connections to promote the successful transition from incarceration to the community.  The Department of Public Safety is required to report annually to the Legislature regarding these programs.

     Written comments presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that cognitive restructuring and transition programs present a promising approach to reducing recidivism and helping inmates make a successful transition from prison to the community.  These programs will assist inmates in decision making and problem solving and help them to cope with social challenges and take responsibility for their actions.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure to change the effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1818, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1818, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair