STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3968

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2309

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2309, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INCARCERATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated persons in the State by increasing their access to diversion, reentry, and rehabilitation programs.

 

     More specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Appropriates moneys for the development and maintenance of diversion, reentry, and rehabilitation services and programs by non-profit organizations within the State, as they relate to offenders who are:

 

          (A)  In the Department of Public Safety's custody and control;

 

          (B)  Under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary; or

 

          (C)  Under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Paroling Authority;

 

     (2)  Appropriates moneys for the development and maintenance of diversion, reentry, and rehabilitation services and programs by non-profit organizations within the State to provide services to formerly incarcerated persons exiting jails and prisons, with a special focus on:

 

          (A)  Housing and human services; and

 

          (B)  Health; and

 

     (3)  Requires agencies and entities receiving moneys appropriated by this measure to submit reports to the Legislature that include information on the manner in which they have expended funds, and other relevant information.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Maui Department of the Prosecuting Attorney; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Opportunity Youth Action Hui; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; ACLU of Hawaii; Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander COVID-19 Response, Recovery, and Resilience Team; and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Budget and Finance, and Share Your Mana.

 

     Your Committee finds that the appropriations made by this measure to strengthen programs and services for offenders reentering society will help to reduce recidivism rates in the State and increase productivity in affected communities.   However, your Committee also finds that a more comprehensive array of pre- and post-release reentry support services, including family support and other necessary assistance, will more effectively support offenders upon their release from incarceration.

 

     Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting language from, and based upon, the following measures:

 

          (A)  Senate Bill No. 2641, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, relating to residential programs that allow minor children to remain with their mothers while the mothers are participating in the programs;

 

          (B)  Senate Bill No. 3293, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, relating to a five-year recidivism prevention pilot program that consists of three components:  a housing voucher program; child care voucher program; and employer income tax credit program; and

 

          (C)  Senate Bill No. 2373, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, relating to a "project reset" program to assist offenders in securing post-release housing to support their reentry, rehabilitation, and employment;

 

     (2)  Making conforming amendments to section 1 and the various appropriations sections to effectuate the expanded purposes of the measure;

 

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

     (4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and 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. 2309, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2309, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair