STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3914

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2312

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2312, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission in the Judiciary to ensure implementation of the recommendations from the final report of the House Concurrent Resolution No. 85 (2016) task force, to develop and implement an evidence-based, gender-responsive plan to divert non-violent women offenders, especially those with minor children, from the criminal justice system;

(2) Require the Commission to consider model programs including residential, in-person and community-based rehabilitation programs, supportive and subsidized housing, restorative justice, and educational programs; and

(3) Appropriate funds to support the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Public Safety, Women's Prison Project, and two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that female offenders tend to have a history of being victims of physical or sexual abuse and are often the primary caretakers of young children at the time of arrest. Your Committees further find that female offenders' involvement in criminal activity is often motivated by poverty or substance abuse and they are less likely than men to have been convicted of a violent crime. This measure will ensure that the State's systems are working to ensure the ongoing health and safety of local communities by establishing a Commission that has an eye on gender-specific recommendations and reforms.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2312, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair