STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2632

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2243

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2243 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide for the immediate DNA testing of all felons who are currently incarcerated and allows for post conviction DNA testing for those who were not convicted but were acquitted of a crime on the ground of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety, the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, the Honolulu Police Department, and the Maui Police Department.

Your Committee finds that this measure will expand the scope of those tested and provide clearer guidelines that will eliminate uncertainty in DNA testing procedures and reduce delays and legal challenges.

Your Committee has amended this measure to make technical, nonsusbtantive changes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2243, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2243, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair