STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3928

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 32

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 32, S.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO CREATE PLACES OF SHELTER FOR PERSONS UNDER CIVIL COMMITMENT AND FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT RISK OF RECIDIVISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to formulate a plan to create places of shelter for persons under civil commitment and for persons who have been recently released from the Hawaii State Hospital and are at risk of recidivism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Health, and ACLU Hawaiʻi.

Your Committee finds that although the Legislature has made various efforts to fund intercept programs to prevent individuals experiencing behavioral health crises from entering the criminal justice system and instead provide them necessary treatment and support services, limited coordination between state agencies has resulted in no meaningful reduction in the State's jail population as a result of these initiatives. The Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System is well-positioned to facilitate collaborative efforts between state agencies and system partners to improve outcomes and create appropriate access for persons who need care through the civil pathway. This measure will support the continued enhancement of a more organized continuum of care for individuals with mental illness who intersect with the criminal legal system, as well as for individuals on the civil pathway who need appropriate access to treatment and placement.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 32, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair