STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1976

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 72

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, 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 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 Hawaii State Judiciary, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Your Services Network, Debt Free Justice, Adult Friends for Youth, Opportunity Youth Action Hawaii, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony with comments from the Department of Human Services and the Office of Youth Services.

Your Committee finds that 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 and that partnerships with community organizations may be an appropriate practice for the family court to be more culturally responsive to maximize rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

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 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 & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair