STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1104-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2770

S.D. 1

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 Corrections, Military, & Veterans, to which was referred S.B. No. 2770, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to create a rehabilitation program for prison inmates that puts an emphasis on preserving Native Hawaiian values and cultural practices; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Human Services, Hawai‘i Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, Opportunity Youth Action Hui, Women's Prison Project, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Papa Ola Lōkahi.

Your Committee finds that the Native Hawaiian population is disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Your Committee further finds that studies have shown a positive association between having a strong cultural identity and feelings of self-worth, belonging or social connection, and purpose. Creating a rehabilitation program that specifically addresses Native Hawaiian values and cultural practices is one way to help inmates feel less disenfranchised and support their reintegration into society upon release.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Placing the mandate for the creation of a Native Hawaiian rehabilitation program in session law rather than codifying it in the Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Corrections, Military, & Veterans that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2770, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2770, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Corrections, Military, & Veterans,

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair