STAND. COM. REP. NO. 855

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 629

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 629, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL RELEASE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a medical release program within the Department of Public Safety for certain ill, disabled, and geriatric inmates who pose a low risk to public safety.

The Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, O‘ahu County Democrats, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and three individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu testified in opposition to this measure. The Community Alliance on Prisons, We Are One, Inc., and one individual provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 629, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair