STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2655

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2581

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2581, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN AUTOMATED VICTIM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve public safety by establishing and appropriating funds for a statewide automated victim information and notification system to notify crime victims and interested individuals of changes in a criminal offender's custodial status, including when an offender is transferred to another facility or released, or has escaped from custody.

     This measure also establishes a governance committee to advise the Department of Public Safety on the implementation and operation of the system.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu.

     Your Committee finds that this measure lays the foundation for a sustainable program to notify crime victims of changes in a criminal offender's custodial status, and will provide a reliable source of information that can contribute significantly to victim safety and peace of mind.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 S.B. No. 2581, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2581, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair