STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2937

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2182

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2182 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ABUSE OF A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to include class C felony offenses relating to abuse of a family or household member under repeat offender sentencing guidelines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that domestic violence is a serious social issue in Hawaii. Despite a number of state laws that protect victims of domestic violence, aim to prevent future incidents of domestic violence, and penalize and provide assistance to domestic violence offenders, the rates of domestic violence occurring in Hawaii have not decreased. Of great concern is the number of domestic violence incidents committed by repeat domestic violence offenders. Advocates for stronger domestic violence laws contend that part of the problem is that existing laws lack any real consequences to domestic violence offenders, and so they do not effect change in offender's behavior. By including class C felonies relating to the offense of abuse of a family or household member in repeat offender sentencing, repeat domestic violence offenders will face stricter penalties for unchanged behavior.

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 S.B. No. 2182 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair