STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3492

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2595

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2595, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY VISITS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage the development of pro-social, family networks that will help the reintegration of inmates back into society to lead productive lives. Specifically, this measure restricts the Department of Public Safety from canceling preapproved and prescheduled family visits with inmates except for an emergency.

Your Committee finds that family visits not only strengthen personal relationships, but are also beneficial for inmates, families, and communities. Your Committee believes that in cases where staff absenteeism or other mitigating circumstances warrant concern, non-contact visits should be made available.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that "substantial" costs incurred by visiting family members includes but is not limited to travel from a neighbor island or the mainland; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of style.

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 H.B. No. 2595, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2595, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair