STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1036

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 230

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 230, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the safety and peace of mind of victims of crime by, among other things:

(1)  Amending the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to include notice or waiver of notice as to an offender's unfitness to stand trial, transfer to the State Hospital or other psychiatric facility, or regaining fitness to proceed; and

(2)  Requiring the Department of Health (DOH) to provide notice of a change in the custodial status of an offender, including escape and final discharge.

     The Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported this measure with amendments.  DOH opposed this bill.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 230, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair