STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1838-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2082

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 S.B. No. 2082 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ABUSE OF FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to add the class C felony offenses of abuse of family or household members to the list of felonies that qualify for repeat offender sentencing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Honolulu Police Department, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that felony abuse of family or household members should be subject to the same specialized sentencing provisions for repeat felony offenders as all other serious and violent class C felonies. The heightened penalties for repeat felony offenders more accurately reflect the seriousness of felony abuse of family or household members, promote greater protection and safety for victims and families of domestic violence, and ensure accountability for offenders.

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 S.B. No. 2082 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair