STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1323-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 3294

S.D. 2

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3294, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REENTRY PLANNING CIRCLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funding for reentry planning circles for incarcerated women.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Correctional System Oversight Commission, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Community Alliance on Prisons, Women's Prison Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Public Safety.

Your Committee finds that reentry planning circles provide an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to make meaningful amends, set goals, and plan for the future. A reentry planning circle is part of the transition planning process to help incarcerated individuals prepare to leave prison. Your Committee finds that incarcerated individuals who participate in reentry planning circles before leaving prison have significantly lower recidivism rates.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3294, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair