STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1022-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.C.R. No. 278

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 278 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT TO CONVENE A COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY AT WHICH POINT VETERANS AND RETURNING RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ENTER THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND HOW BEST TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS, INCLUDING DEVELOPING A VETERANS COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to provide needed services to veterans who return from war with combat-related mental- and emotional-health conditions, and then commit crimes and enter the justice system, by requesting the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court to convene a committee to determine how best to address these veterans' needs, including the development of a veterans court.

     The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, theStrategist, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Oahu Veterans Council, and several concerned individuals supported this concurrent resolution.  The Military Officers Association of America, Hawaii Chapter, supported this measure with amendments.  The Judiciary supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that veterans who have suffered mental and emotional injuries while serving our country should not be abandoned to our streets and prisons.  A veterans court would help to pair these veterans with available, needed services.  Further, in helping these veterans, a veterans court would also benefit the community by reducing the costs of imprisonment, and of the social services needed by the homeless.

     Your Committee finds that the term "veterans" in this concurrent resolution is intended to include not only individuals discharged from military service, but also individuals who are on active duty status.  Individuals in both categories may return from war with a combat-related mental- or emotional-health condition that results in their entry into the justice system.

     Your Committee notes that including active duty military personnel may also open the door for federal funds to assist these veterans.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 278 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair