STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2085

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 4

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 4 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONDUCT A STATEWIDE INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII BY CLERGY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Hawaii State Department of the Attorney General to investigate the sexual abuse of minors in the State by clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that civil and criminal cases throughout the country have identified a pattern of Roman Catholic clergy who have sexually abused minors in multiple dioceses. Your Committee further finds that a formal investigation is needed to determine the extent of the abuse that has occurred in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 4 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair