STAND. COM. REP. NO. 126

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 922

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 922 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require a law enforcement officer who observes criminal misconduct by another law enforcement officer to report the criminal misconduct;

(2) Require passage of a psychological screening test battery to qualify for appointment as a law enforcement officer;

(3) Subject a law enforcement officer to denial, suspension, or revocation of a law enforcement officer's certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or committing an act of criminal misconduct; and

(4) Prohibit the use of a chokehold by a law enforcement officer unless the use of deadly force is justifiable.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department and State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

Your Committee finds that law enforcement services are an essential government function. Your Committee believes that it is in the State's interest to mitigate any future actions of excessive force by law enforcement officers that may lead to unnecessary loss of life or harm. This measure will promote greater accountability and transparency in government's provision of law enforcement services by requiring a law enforcement officer who observes criminal misconduct by another law enforcement officer to report the criminal misconduct; requiring passage of a psychological screening test battery to qualify for appointment as a law enforcement officer; subjecting a law enforcement officer to denial, suspension, or revocation of a law enforcement officer's certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or committing an act of criminal misconduct; and prohibiting the use of a chokehold by a law enforcement officer unless the use of deadly force is justifiable.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 922 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair