STAND. COM. REP. NO. 176

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1000

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1000 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize crime victim compensation for mental health services for surviving relatives in cases involving a death caused by a violent crime and for children witnesses in cases of abuse of family or household members.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that providing compensation for mental health services for surviving family members of those who die from violent crimes and children who witness physical abuse of a family or household member is important for protecting the health, safety, and well-being of these vulnerable citizens.  Surviving family can experience significant psychological trauma after the loss of a family member because of violent crime.  Likewise, a child who witnesses the physical abuse of a family or household member will often experience significant psychological trauma that can, if untreated, negatively impact the individual for a

statutes lack coverage for the families of victims whose death is the result of a violent crime and compensation for children who witness physical abuse of family or household members.  Accordingly, this measure addresses the needs of these vulnerable groups by authorizing crime victim compensation for mental health services for survivors in cases involving a death and for children who witness domestic violence.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1000 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair