STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1887

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 205

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 205 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY REUNIFICATION WORKING GROUP AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ESTABLISH VISITATION CENTERS AT ALL STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND JAILS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request that:

 

(1) during the interim following the Regular Session of 2019, the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety, is requested to work with the Keiki Caucus' Family Reunification Working Group and other community stakeholders to develop a plan to establish children-friendly and family-friendly visitation centers at all State correctional prisons and jails to ensure the wellbeing of children of the incarcerated parents and their families; and

 

(2) the Department of Human services submit a report on the status of visitation centers, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2020 and 2021; and

 

(3) the Department of Human Services is to include an assessment of any child accommodations in current visitation areas in prison and jails and recommendations to address any specific issues.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support from the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Human Services, the Hawai'i Children's Action Network, the Hawai'i Youth Services Network, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawai'i, the Community Alliance on Prisons, Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, and one individual.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 205 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs,

 

 

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair