STAND. COM. REP. NO.  446

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 1006

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1006 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking, and to provide family-based social services by:

(1)  Authorizing the Department of Human Services to create a Family Justice Center Task Force to consider the establishment of one or more multi-agency, multi-disciplinary family justice centers on any island in the State; and

(2)  Requiring the Family Justice Center Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2014 Regular Session.

The Department of Education, IMUAlliance, and The Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery supported this measure.  The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Community Safety & Support opposed this measure.  Comments were received from the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and The Sex Abuse Treatment Center.

     Your Committee noted the testimony of the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney that funding for family justice centers must be expanded to the Neighbor Islands.  To assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking in the State, funding and other resources to combat such abuse must be applied statewide.

     Upon consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1006, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1006, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair