STAND. COM. REP. NO.  679

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 845

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 845, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist inmates in obtaining the documentation and identification necessary for successful reentry into society. 

Specifically, this measure requires the Department of Public Safety in collaboration with county, state, and federal agencies to issue civil identification cards to inmates and assist inmates in obtaining their birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Judiciary, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Women's Coalition, YWCA Oahu, CHOW Project, African American Lawyers Association, Progressive Democrats of Hawaii, and many individuals testified in support of the measure.  The Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Community Alliance on Prisons, and Life of the Land provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Public Safety to inform inmates that, upon request, the Department and other agencies shall assist the inmate in obtaining the inmate's identification and certain other documentation; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee recognizes the public testimony that requested an amendment to require the Department of Public Safety to assist inmates to obtain identification by starting the process at least 90 days prior to the inmate's release on work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement status.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 845, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 845, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair