STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1398

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.C.R. No. 134

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 134 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CRIMINAL PRETRIAL PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC SAFETY, MAXIMIZE COURT APPEARANCES, AND MAXIMIZE PRETRIAL RELEASE OF THE ACCUSED AND PRESUMED INNOCENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Judiciary to convene a Criminal Pretrial Task Force to:

     (1)  Examine and, as needed, recommend legislation and revisions to criminal pretrial practices and procedures to increase public safety while maximizing pretrial release of those who do not pose a danger or a flight risk; and

     (2)  Identify and define best practices metrics to measure the relative effectiveness of the criminal pretrial system, and establish ongoing procedures to take such measurements at appropriate time intervals.

The Judiciary, Community Alliance on Prisons, The CHOW Project, and three concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Public Safety and Legislative Reference Bureau offered comments.   

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 134 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair