STAND. COM. REP. NO. 397-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2288

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 2288 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include treatment, work furlough, and other programs designed for successful reintegration to the types of programs in which a committed person can participate to be eligible for parole.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Paroling Authority; Office of the Public Defender; CARES; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has adopted a paradigm shift from a punitive to a rehabilitative and re-entry model for committed persons. Your Committee further finds that this measure supports and aligns with this change in approach by the Department.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that in its discretion, the Hawaii Paroling Authority may waive program participation requirements;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2288, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2288, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair