STAND. COM. REP. NO. 680-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2169

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2169, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE OFFENDER REENTRY SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that:

(1) The Department of Public Safety's role is to work with the Department of Transportation and county examiners of drivers to assist inmates in procuring civil identification cards, rather than issue civil identification cards; and

(2) The Department of Public Safety must initiate the process of assisting an inmate obtain a civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and any other relevant identification documents ninety days before the inmate is being released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs if the inmate requests assistance after being notified that assistance is available.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Public Defender, Community Alliance on Prisons, Women's Prison Project, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Common Cause Hawaii, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that procuring a civil identification card is essential for inmates as they transition back into society. Without a civil identification card, inmates leaving correctional facilities face extreme challenges securing employment and housing, registering for school, opening bank accounts, and accessing other benefits, such as health care, that are critical to successful integration into the community. This measure supports successful offender reentry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2169, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair