STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1036-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2253

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Hawaii by strengthening the ability to gather forensic information and evidence from individuals who are legally required to submit a specimen by:

     (1)  Creating the offense of refusal or failure to provide specimen for forensic identification in the second degree as a misdemeanor for the negligent or reckless refusal or failure to provide a specimen for forensic identification; and

     (2)  Amending the offense of refusal or failure to provide specimen for forensic identification under section 844D‑111, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by:

          (A)  Changing the name of the offense to refusal or failure to provide specimen for forensic identification in the first degree; and

          (B)  Grading the offense as a class C felony for the intentional or knowing refusal or failure to provide a specimen for forensic identification.

The Department of the Attorney General, Department of Public Safety, and the Honolulu Police Department supported this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2253, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair