HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2363
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to public safety.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Research has demonstrated that low-risk drug offenders can be effectively and safely transitioned from jail or prison to community status through the availability of a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of evidence-based treatment services.  Strong empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that substance abuse treatment reduces crime and is cost-effective, with research studies documenting savings of $10 to $18 for every $1 spent.  Through the use of evidence-based practices, community drug treatment programs can effectively break the costly cycle of offender drug use, crime, and incarceration by significantly reducing recidivism.  The goals and benefits of such a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of treatment services include:

     (1)  Reducing the prison population and the cost of incarceration by decreasing recidivism among low-risk drug offenders;

     (2)  Identifying a network of key resources necessary for success; and

     (3)  Preserving public safety through careful initial screening and continuing monitoring of participants in the project as they live in the community.

     The purpose of this Act is to plan and implement a two-year pilot project to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of providing a coordinated system of diversion and reentry treatment and support services to help low-risk drug offenders transition from jail or prison back into the community.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of public safety a pilot project to be known as the diversion and reentry pilot project for low-risk drug offenders.

     (b)  There shall be one hundred participants in the pilot project annually, from among:

     (1)  Low-risk male and female offenders diverted from the Oahu community correctional center; and

     (2)  Low-risk male and female offenders who are eligible for early release or parole.

     (c)  The effectiveness of the pilot project shall be evaluated.  The evaluation shall include project participants' status with respect to the following criteria:

     (1)  Record of arrest;

     (2)  Re-incarceration;

     (3)  Substance abuse;

     (4)  Employment status;

     (5)  Compliance with the terms and conditions of release;

     (6)  Housing status; and

     (7)  The availability of a positive support group.

     (d)  The pilot project shall be based on evidence-based principles.

     (e)  Data shall be collected by service providers and shall be submitted to the department of public safety every six months for evaluation purposes.

     (f)  The department of public safety shall provide general oversight of the pilot project.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the pilot project known as the diversion and reentry pilot project for low-risk drug offenders established by this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2016.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Diversion and Reentry Pilot Project for Low-risk Drug Offenders

Description:

Provides systematic diversion and reentry programming for low-risk drug offenders by establishing the Diversion and Reentry Pilot Project for Low-risk Drug Offenders.  Effective July 1, 2014, and repealed on June 30, 2016.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.