STAND. COM. REP. NO.  7

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.B. No. 740

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 740 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to work toward addressing the issue of domestic violence in Hawaii by establishing a temporary Domestic Violence Task Force (Task Force) to discuss and seek input on domestic violence issues being faced in Hawaii.

 

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services opposed this measure.  A concerned individual provided comments.

 

     Domestic violence is a complex issue that oftentimes is only noted for the physical violence that it is associated with.  An oft overlooked fact is that domestic violence encompasses a wide range of issues, including emotional and psychological abuse, that are not always rectified by the victim's separation from an abuser.

 

     Because of this, your Committee finds that expansion of the Task Force may be warranted and that discussion of this expansion should continue.  Expanding the Task Force to consist of more grassroots members who have firsthand knowledge of domestic violence in Hawaii, including victims, military experts, persons knowledgeable about issues of abuse, and persons with an academic and research based background in domestic violence, may provide a varied and diverse perspective of the subject matter that would be helpful in enlightening the Task Force and could bring forth fresh ideas for workable solutions to this issue.

 

     Your Committee also finds that the creation of a Domestic Violence Czar, possibly in the executive branch, would be an effective improvement of the domestic violence situation in Hawaii.  It would provide the coordination necessary to establish comprehensive and integrated public policy decisions on this issue and your Committee respectfully requests the Committee on Judiciary to continue discussions on this matter as this measure moves through the legislative process.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 740, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 740, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair