STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2731

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2383

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2383 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LESS THAN LETHAL FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Public Safety to review and update, at least annually, its policies and procedures governing the use of force, weapons, and equipment;

(2) Require the Law Enforcement Standards Board to review the Department's use of force training; and

(3) Appropriate funds for training, equipment, and related records management for the Department.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety and Community Alliance on Prisons.

Your Committee finds that updating the policies and procedures that govern the use of force, weapons, and equipment by public safety officers has been a concern for the public. Your Committee further finds that since 2015, fatal police shootings in the State have more than doubled, with most cases dealing with an unarmed suspect. Your Committee believes that having policies relating to the use of force will ensure the safety of officers, as well as others, and that standards for compliance are in effect. Your Committee also finds that the use of less-than-lethal weapons is practiced in many other jurisdictions. The use of less-than-lethal weapons have been requested by public safety officers so that they may be equipped to enforce laws in situations that require less-than-lethal force. This measure will ensure the safety of public safety officers as well as residents and visitors by requiring the Department of Public Safety to review its policies and procedures relating to the use of force to better train and equip all of its officers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2383 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair