STAND. COM. REP. NO.1365

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 500

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 500, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY COURTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide for discretionary commitment of a minor to a youth correctional facility for certain drug offenses.

In particular, the Family Court, at the court's discretion, may commit a minor to such a facility if the minor is adjudicated to have committed an act that would constitute a violation of promoting a dangerous, harmful, or detrimental drug, or of any other controlled substance, under certain penal code offenses relating to drugs and intoxicating compounds.

The measure further states that the commitment for incarceration in a youth correctional facility is to be for a minimum unspecified number of days, of which at least an unspecified number of hours must be served consecutively, without the possibility of probation or suspension of sentence.

In addition, the minor and the minor's parents, guardians, or legal custodians must attend a substance abuse education and counseling program or other comparable family education and counseling program deemed appropriate by the court.

Your Committee agrees with the intent of this measure and finds that, for drug treatment of a minor to be effective, the entire family must be involved for the support of the minor, and, if necessary, must address the drug use of other family members.

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 H.B. No. 500, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair