STAND. COM. REP. NO 3057

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2489

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2489, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JUVENILE JUSTICE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support Hawaii's youth and reduce future delinquency by appropriating funds for cost-effective evidence-based practices and programs, including mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.  More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Appropriates funds to the Family Court Division of the Judiciary and the Office of Youth Services; and

     (2)  Authorizes the transfer of unexpended funds from the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility budget to the Family Court Division of the Judiciary.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor; The Judiciary; Department of Health; Department of Human Services; Office of Youth Services; Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaii; Office of the Mayor, County of Kauai; Life Choices Kauai; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Kauai; Honolulu Police Department; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hale Kipa; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawaii Youth Services Network; and five individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committees find that many youth currently placed in the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility could be safely supervised in their communities and provided with more cost-effective treatment and programming to reduce future delinquency.  Your Committees heard testimony on this measure expressing a dire need for more quality mental health and substance abuse treatment programs across the State for Hawaii's youth.  In addition, testimony highlighted the economic savings for the State if more of an up‑front investment is made to reduce recidivism by treating juvenile offenders' mental health and substance abuse needs.

     This measure addresses at least six of the Hawaii Juvenile Justice Working Group's recommendations.  Based on testimony provided by the Judiciary and Office of Youth Services, your Committees recommend that your Committee on Ways and Means insert an appropriation amount of $5,300,000.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the appropriation to the Judiciary for evidence-based practices intended to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth who otherwise would likely be sent to the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility so that all appropriated funds in this measure are directed to the Office of Youth Services;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2014; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2489, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2489, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair