STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3795

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1953

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1953, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to direct the Judicial Council to conduct a comprehensive review of the Hawaii Penal Code and recommend any necessary amendments.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Judiciary, ACLU of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Judicial Council's recommendations, based on a comprehensive review, will help the State ensure that the Hawaii Penal Code is consistent and proportional; aligns with evidence-based strategies and best practices; responds appropriately to offenders who have mental illnesses; and is effective at deterring crime, reducing recidivism, and providing restitution to victims.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1953, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1953, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair