STAND. COM. REP. NO.  702

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 1279

      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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1279, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate an unspecified sum to match funds for competitively bid program expenses incurred for reintegration support, job training, employment placement, and case management for persons convicted of crimes and reentering the community.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that it is estimated that approximately ninety-eight per cent of all incarcerated persons will return to the community.  It is in the best interest of both the offender and the community alike to provide support upon reentry, as persons with criminal records face many barriers to employment and licensure.  Your Committee believes that the funds appropriated by this measure will assist the offender population in transitioning to the community in a safe, responsible manner.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1279, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair