STAND. COM. REP. NO.  277-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 1917

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1917 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require state and county law enforcement agencies to address domestic violence within their ranks by:

     (1)  Directing state and county agencies that employ law enforcement officers to adopt and implement a written policy on domestic violence committed or allegedly committed by law enforcement officers of the agency by January 1, 2013; 

     (2)  Specifying minimum policy standards that must be met by the agency;

     (3)  Establishing policy training and reporting deadlines; and

     (4)  Appropriating an unspecified dollar amount to assist the state and county agencies in implementing the policy.

The Maui Police Department opposed the measure.  The Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence offered comments on the measure.

     Your Committees have noted that the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence testified that the problem of domestic violence in the ranks of law enforcement deserves careful attention.  The Coalition added that dismissal and disciplinary action for law enforcement officers who are involved in domestic violence must be integrated into a broader policy that reflects a continuum of action.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Expanding the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include all positions that require the possession of firearms;

     (2)  Adding language to codify relevant provisions of federal law and collective bargaining agreements;

     (3)  Adding appropriations for relevant state agencies to assist in implementing the policy;

     (4)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety & Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1917, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1917, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair