STAND. COM. REP. NO. 33

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 224

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 224 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable; and

(2) Require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kauaʻi, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Opportunity For Youth Action Hawaiʻi, Waikiki Health, Roar Cares, and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that ensuring that individuals receive their identification cards upon release from correctional facilities significantly impacts a formerly incarcerated person's ability to reintegrate into society by providing access to basic necessities like housing, employment, and social services, which are often inaccessible without proper identification. Without these documents, newly released individuals cannot secure insurance, a phone line, and other services critical to their successful reintegration into society. This measure will facilitate incarcerated people's access to these important documents which will potentially reduce recidivism rates and promote successful reentry into the community.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 224 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair