STAND. COM. REP. NO. 393-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2111

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2111 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN AND FAMILY OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to work with the Department of Public Safety to establish a Pilot Visitation and Family Resource Center at Waiawa Correctional Facility.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Public Safety, Office of the Public Defender, Office of Youth Services, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Community Alliance on Prisons, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Adult Friends for Youth, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Blueprint for Change, and numerous individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committees find that this measure is the result of a collaboration of agencies motivated to find ways to facilitate family reunification, promote the well-being of children of incarcerated parents, and end the generational cycle of incarceration. By establishing family friendly visitation centers that create an atmosphere where children can visit their incarcerated parent without feeling traumatized, more frequent visits and quality engagement may occur. Your Committees note studies suggest maintaining family ties is linked to post-release success for incarcerated individuals, including lower rates of recidivism. This measure provides funding to establish a Pilot Visitation and Family Resource Center at the Waiawa Correctional Center to implement the recommendations of the Family Reunification Working Group and promote the best interests of children of incarcerated parents.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(2) Changing the effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Should your Committee on Finance decide to hear this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider appropriating $150,000 to the Department of Human Services and $150,000 to the Department of Public Safety, for the establishment of a pilot visitation and family resource center at Waiawa Correctional Center on Oahu.

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 are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2111, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2111, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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