STAND. COM. REP. NO. 130-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2309

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 Corrections, Military, & Veterans, to which was referred H.B. No. 2309 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INCARCERATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reduce recidivism rates in the State and increase productivity in affected communities by appropriating funds for the development and maintenance of diversion and reentry programs and services within the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maui Multicultural Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, Women's Prison Project, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Ka Ipu Ha‘a, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Public Safety.

Your Committee finds that effective diversion and reentry programs increase community safety and provide needed treatment, education, skills, and support for offenders transitioning back into the community. Your Committee further finds that certain populations are not under the custody or control of the Department of Public Safety, and to provide a more comprehensive approach, appropriations should also be made to the Judiciary and Hawaii Paroling Authority to serve those individuals previously incarcerated under their respective jurisdictions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding appropriations to the Judiciary and Hawaii Paroling Authority for the development and maintenance of diversion, reentry, and rehabilitation programs and services for offenders falling under their respective jurisdictions;

(2) Increasing flexibility by including rehabilitation as a type of program or service for which the appropriations under this Act may be used;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Corrections, Military, & Veterans that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2309, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2309, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Corrections, Military, & Veterans,

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair