STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1039

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1470

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1470, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance safety and promote accountability for staff and inmates in the State's correctional system.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Public Safety, by July 1, 2024, to install digital cameras in all guard control rooms of correctional centers that house women, and requires the Department to ensure the documentation and accessibility of video evidence that may pertain to misconduct, negligent or abusive treatment, or criminal activity; and

(2) Appropriates funds for the purchase and installation of the cameras.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, United Public Workers, Opportunity Youth Action Hawaii, and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Community Alliance on Prisons.

Your Committee finds that requiring and funding the installation of video cameras in guard control rooms of correctional facilities that house women will improve conditions for both staff and inmates by helping to prevent and deter sexual assaults, movement of contraband, and other unlawful or inappropriate activities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation from $100,000 to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1470, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1470, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair