STAND. COM. REP. NO. 563-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2067

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2067, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a three-year pilot project to strengthen state and county responses to domestic violence and increase offender accountability.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kauai, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Action Center, AAUW of Hawaii, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that the dynamics of domestic violence are complicated, and a more flexible approach may be necessary in sentencing defendants in abuse of family or household members cases. This measure seeks to provide this flexibility while still holding defendants accountable for their actions.

Your Committee recognizes that this measure is a work in progress. Your Committee notes that the Chair of your Committee on Human Services and Homelessness will be working with stakeholders to address the concerns raised during your Committee's public hearing on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2067, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair