STAND. COM. REP. NO. 854

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 304

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 S.B. No. 304, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enable the Judiciary's First Circuit Court Adult Client Services Branch to adopt the American Probation and Parole Association's recommended national best practice standards for community supervision by establishing positions and appropriating moneys for adult services probation.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that the recommended national best practice standards published by the American Probation and Parole Association may help to counter recidivism and promote the reintegration of persons on probation into the community. Your Committee further finds that lowering the caseload per probation officer will allow officers to dedicate more time and attention to each probationer and provide support tailored for each unique situation.

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 S.B. No. 304, 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