HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1923
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE BUILDINGS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that in our post-September 11th world, terrorism, violence, and threats of violence in public forums have become increasingly common.  As such, it is the responsibility of our state government to do more to ensure that citizen engagement does not come at the expense of public safety.  At the federal level, the United States Department of Homeland Security's Interagency Security Committee, whose mission is to develop security standards and best practices for nonmilitary federal facilities, has issued guidance detailing "best practices" and recommendations for the protection of federal facilities, employees, contractors, and visitors, and these recommendations include using security countermeasures such as metal detectors and x-ray machines at pedestrian and public entrances of federal buildings. 

     The legislature also finds that the value of open access to state buildings such as public schools, departmental offices, the legislature, and judicial buildings must be balanced with the need to ensure the physical safety and well-being of the visiting public and building occupants.  Despite the number of state-owned buildings that are potential targets of terrorist attacks, currently only the judicial branch requires visitors to pass through metal detectors and have their personal belongings undergo x-ray screening.

     The purpose of this Act is to maintain public access to state buildings while taking reasonable measures to protect the public by requiring the office of the governor to identify state buildings at "high risk" for terrorism, develop and implement a master security plan that will increase safety and security through the mandatory use of metal detectors, x-ray scans of baggage, and other prudent measures, determine a timeline for completion, and report on its progress to the legislature.

     SECTION 2.  The office of the governor shall:

     (1)  Identify which state buildings – whether they be departmental offices of the administrative branch, legislative facilities such as the state capitol, judicial buildings, or public schools – are likely targets for terrorism that should be deemed "high risk";

     (2)  Develop and implement a master security plan for buildings deemed "high risk" that will increase safety and security through the mandatory use of metal detectors, x-ray scans of baggage, and other prudent measures; and

     (3)  Determine a timeline for phased implementation of the plan, with the timeline to be completed no later than December 31, 2016.

     SECTION 3.  The office of the governor shall submit to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2017 legislative session a written report of its progress on the master security plan for buildings deemed "high risk", as well as its timeline for phased implementation of the plan.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	_____________________________

Report Title:

State Buildings; "High Risk" Buildings; Master Security Plan.

Description:

Requires the office of the governor to identify State buildings at "high risk" for terrorism, develop and implement a master security plan, and determine a timeline for completion.  Requires a report to the legislature.

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