STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1964

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 72

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 72, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT TO COLLABORATE IN IDENTIFYING PROCESSES, PROCEDURES, AND STRATEGIES FOR PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO MAXIMIZE REHABILITATION AND MINIMIZE RECIDIVISM FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Office of Youth Services and Family Court of the First Judicial Circuit to collaborate in identifying processes, procedures, and strategies for partnering with community organizations to maximize rehabilitation and minimize recidivism for juvenile offenders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of Youth Services, Hawai‘i Youth Services Network, Policy Advocacy Clinic at Berkeley Law, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that children of Micronesian or Native Hawaiian ancestry and other Pacific Island youth are overrepresented in the State's juvenile justice system. Intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnection, homelessness, and other factors can drive and contribute to a high disparity in such juvenile offenders. Studies have shown that youth who are connected to their culture and community are more successful and less likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system. This measure will encourage the Office of Youth Services and Family Court of the First Judicial Circuit to work with community organizations to identify ways to reduce the overrepresentation of Pacific Islander and other marginalized youths within the juvenile justice system.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 72, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair