STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1308

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1148

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Legislative Management, to which was referred S.B. No. 1148, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, 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 clarify the provisions of the comprehensive offender reentry system by, among other things:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop a comprehensive written reentry plan for each individual entering a correctional facility within 90 days of the offender's sentencing;

 

     (2)  Requiring that, by December 31, 2010, the maximum number of Hawaii inmates housed in out-of-state prisons shall not exceed 2,000;

 

     (3)  Repealing the Legislative Oversight Committee on July 1, 2009;

 

     (4)  Establishing a temporary Reentry Commission (Commission) to monitor and review the comprehensive offender reentry program;

 

     (5)  Limiting certain programs, including a quarterly rotation system, for transitioning out-of-state inmates back to Hawaii only when there is sufficient facility program and bed space to safely accommodate their return; and

 

     (6)  Prohibiting purchase of service contracts for activities that allow ex-offenders to continue to contact incarcerated mentors through the use of various technologies.

 

     The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc., Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii, Na Koa Ikaika, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  One concerned individual supported this measure with amendments.  DPS offered comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Leaving blank the maximum number of Hawaii inmates housed in out-of-state prisons by December 31, 2010;

 

     (2)  Leaving blank the number of days for DPS to develop a comprehensive reentry plan for each individual entering a correctional facility;

 

     (3)  Directing the Commission to work with DPS in carrying out the Commission's duties;

 

     (4)  Appropriating unspecified funds to support the efforts of the Commission; and

 

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

 

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

 


 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Legislative Management,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA, Chair