STAND. COM. REP. NO. 356

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 451

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Corrections, Military & Veterans, to which was referred H.B. No. 451 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, to extend the time to expend appropriations for the establishment of a pilot visitation and family resource center at Waiawa Correctional Facility on Oahu;

(2) Make conforming amendments related to the establishment of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and

(3) Appropriate additional funds to implement the pilot visitation and family resource center at Waiawa Correctional Facility.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of Human Services, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, Blueprint for Change, Hawai‘i Youth Services Network, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Papa Ola Lōkahi, and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of family visitation and resource centers is in the best interest and well-being of children and, as studies suggest, may have many benefits for the incarcerated parent and other family members, the community, and the State. As a result, Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, required, among other things, the Department of Human Services to work with the Department of Public Safety and other stakeholders to establish a pilot visitation and family resource center at Waiawa Correctional Facility on Oahu. This measure ensures the continued support for the visitation and family resource center to improve connections between incarcerated persons and their families.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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 H.B. No. 451, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 451, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair