STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1374-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2373

S.D. 1

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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2373, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Create the Project Reset program to assist offenders with securing post-release housing, including transitional housing and permanent housing, and to support the offender's reentry, rehabilitation, and employment prospects;

(2) Establish one full-time equivalent position in the Department of Human Services to administer the Project Reset program; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Public Defender, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that offenders exiting correctional facilities are at risk of becoming homeless because of a lack of comprehensive programs focusing on transitioning offenders through the process of reentry, rehabilitation, employment, and housing. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a reentry program to assist offenders in obtaining post-release housing as they transition back into the community will provide stability and reduce recidivism.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2373, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair