HB2451 HD1

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Provide for the examination of defendants through telehealth;

(2) Expand the scope of the criminal justice diversion program to certain petty misdemeanants; and

(3) Appropriate funds to provide additional job positions and resources necessary for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 2. Chapter 704, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§704- Examination of defendants via telehealth. (1) Examiners who have been appointed by the court under section 704-404, may be allowed to conduct their examination of defendants via telehealth pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Examination of defendants pursuant to this chapter may be conducted via telehealth at any facility under the jurisdiction of the director of health, director of law enforcement, or chief justice.

(3) Each facility shall establish procedures regarding the provision and use of telehealth resources at appropriate facilities. The procedures shall ensure the widest availability of telehealth resources feasible at appropriate facilities.

(4) For purposes of this section, "telehealth" means the provision of health care or examination remotely by means of telecommunications technology by a health care professional or examiner in accordance with the requirements of section 453-1.3."

SECTION 3. Section 704-421, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§704-421[]] Proceedings for defendants charged with petty misdemeanors not involving violence or attempted violence; criminal justice diversion program. (1) In cases where the defendant is charged with a petty misdemeanor not involving violence or attempted violence, if, at the hearing held pursuant to section 704-404(2)(a) or at a further hearing held after the appointment of an examiner pursuant to section 704-404(2)(b), the court determines that the defendant is fit to proceed, then the proceedings against the defendant shall resume. In all other cases under this section where fitness remains an outstanding issue, the court shall continue the suspension of the proceedings and either commit the defendant to the custody of the director of health to be placed in a hospital or other suitable facility for further examination and assessment[.] or, in cases where the defendant is not imminently dangerous to self or others and need not be committed to the director of health for the purpose of the fitness examination under section 704-404(2), the court may order that the defendant be released on terms and conditions.

(2) [~~Within seven days from the commitment of the defendant to the custody of the director of health, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, the director of health~~] In cases under this section where the defendant's fitness to proceed remains an outstanding issue at the hearing held pursuant to section 704-404(2)(a) or a further hearing held after the appointment of an examiner pursuant to section 704-404(2)(b), as applicable, the director of health, within fourteen days of that hearing or as soon as is practicable, shall report to the court on the defendant's current capacity to understand the proceedings against the defendant and defendant's current ability to assist in the defendant's own defense. If, following the report, the court finds defendant fit to proceed, the proceedings against defendant shall resume. In all other cases, the court shall dismiss the charge with or without prejudice in the interest of justice. [~~The director of health may at any time proceed under the provisions of section 334-60.2 or 334-121.~~]"

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) positions ($ ) and for additional resources necessary to accommodate telehealth examinations of defendants pursuant to this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) positions ($ ) and for additional resources necessary to accommodate telehealth examinations of defendants pursuant to this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2451
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII