STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1008-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2421

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2421 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WOMEN'S COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a three-year Women's Court Pilot Program in the First Circuit of the Judiciary to implement trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, employ gender-responsive programming, collaborate with stakeholders, and provide services to women in the court system;

(2) Appropriate funds for equipment; mental health, substance abuse treatment, and other services; and the establishment of seven temporary positions for the Pilot Program; and

(3) Require the Judiciary to submit annual reports on the Pilot Program throughout its duration.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Human Services, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Women's Prison Project, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making the appropriation amounts, including amounts per position, unspecified; and

(2) 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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2421, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2421, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair