STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1782

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 280

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 280, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to permanently establish and appropriate moneys for the Community Outreach Court as a division of the District Court of the First Circuit.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Judiciary, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Council on Mental Health, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii, and Waikiki Neighborhood Board.

Your Committee finds that permanently establishing the Community Outreach Court will help enhance the well-being of court participants; reduce the strain on law enforcement officers, courts, and public resources; and support evidence-based practices for addressing homelessness and mental health challenges in the State's communities.

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. 280, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair