STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1058

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1148

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE OFFENDER REENTRY SYSTEM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure a successful reintegration into the community upon an inmate's release by clarifying various provisions of the comprehensive offender reentry system, including:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to develop written reentry plans within 90 days of an individual entering a correctional facility to be renewed annually;

 

     (2)  Continuing a quarterly rotation system for Hawaii inmates in out-of-state prisons;

 

     (3)  Requiring PSD to promote research regarding children with incarcerated parents;

 

     (4)  Establishing a Reentry Commission under PSD;

 

     (5)  Repealing on July 1, 2009, the Legislative Oversight Committee established to oversee PSD; and

 

     (6)  Specifying that by December 31, 2010, the maximum number of Hawaii inmates who are housed in out-of-state prisons will not exceed 2,000.

 

     The Drug Policy Forum, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Public Safety supported the intent of this measure.  The Community Alliance on Prisons supported this bill with an amendment.  A concerned individual submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Increasing the membership of the Reentry Commission to eleven members with the additional member being a former inmate who has successfully been reintegrated into the community; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair