Report Title:

Domestic Violence Court

 

Description:

Appropriates funds within family court to establish a pilot dedicated domestic violence court and to provide related domestic violence services. (SD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

804

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that domestic violence continues to be the greatest threat to the safety and welfare of families in our community. Between 1992 and 1997, domestic violence homicides made up 24.3 per cent of the total number of homicides in Hawaii. Further, among women who are murdered in Hawaii, the majority of them are killed as a result of a dispute involving someone with whom they have an intimate relationship. The legislature further finds that while arrests for domestic violence have increased over the past decade, the conviction rate remains at about thirty per cent. Without a conviction, neither the offender nor the victim can receive court-ordered domestic violence intervention services which can help them break the cycle of violence. Thus, the purpose of this Act is to provide additional funds to the judiciary to establish a pilot dedicated domestic violence court and related services for victims and their families.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $270,138, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof for fiscal year 2002-2003, to establish a pilot dedicated domestic violence court in the family court of the first circuit.

FY 2001-2002 FY 2002-2003

1. One permanent Circuit $106,922 $106,922

Court Judge

2. Three permanent support staff $96,264 $96,264

Circuit Court Clerk (SR-20)

Judicial Assistant (SR-21)

Law Clerk (SR-20)

3. Operating/Equipment Expenses $66,952 $66,592

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof for fiscal year 2002-2003, to provide related services for domestic violence victims and their families.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. The judiciary shall submit a report to the legislature, twenty days prior to the convening of the 2003 regular session, which shall include: the total number of cases filed and closed during the pilot period; the types of cases, including a breakdown of the number of civil and criminal actions; the number of cases in which the offender has re-offended; the types of services provided to both victims and offenders; and the justification for continuance of the dedicated domestic violence court.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.