STAND. COM. REP. NO. 910-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2312

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2312, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRISON REFORM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Statutorily establish within the Judiciary the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission to:

(A) Develop and implement an evidence-based, gender-responsive plan to divert non-violent women offenders from the criminal justice system;

(B) Ensure implementation of the recommendations from the final report to the Legislature of the Task Force on Prison Reform, formed pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 85, Regular Session of 2016;

(C) Review existing local resources and programs focused on women in the justice system for their effectiveness and capacity for expansion; and

(D) Consider certain model programs; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Judiciary for the establishment of the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, and Women's Prison Project. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Public Safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2312, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair