STAND

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO.23

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 996

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 996 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate unspecified sums in fiscal years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 to the Department of Public Safety for its substance abuse treatment programs statewide.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Government Efficiency Teams, Inc., and a concerned individual. Testimony opposing the measure was received from Hawaii Moms and Dads 4Kids.

Your Committee finds that approximately eighty-five percent of the inmate population has a history of substance abuse. Your Committee further finds that there is a correlation between substance abuse, addiction, and crime. Additionally, your Committee believes that substance abuse treatment can reduce criminal recidivism rates resulting in cost savings not only in the public sector, but also for private businesses in areas such as medical and disability and theft claims.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 996 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

		____________________________ COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair