THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3050

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to criminal justice data.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The reporting of comprehensive crime data is important to criminal justice agencies, elected officials, crime prevention groups, and the general public.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program generates these reports and, in Hawaii, the program is administered by the crime prevention and justice assistance division's research and statistics branch of the department of the attorney general.  The attorney general's primary sources of data are the county police departments, but the counties have not always been able to provide the necessary information in a timely manner.  More than sixty-six per cent of the states mandate the reporting of crime statistics; Hawaii does not.  The United States Department of Justice is taking steps to ensure timely and accurate crime reporting, and it is critical that the State similarly ensures prompt and complete reporting.

     To better assist the attorney general in the reporting of critical criminal justice data, this Act clarifies the responsibilities of county police departments to provide all necessary data in a timely manner.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 846, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§846-    Statistical crime reporting responsibility of county chiefs of police and agencies.  (a)  The chiefs of police of the counties of the State and agencies of state and county governments having power of arrest shall provide to the attorney general crime incident reports and any other information regarding crimes committed within their respective jurisdictions as necessary for the attorney general to operate a statewide crime reporting program and to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program.  The reports shall be submitted to the attorney general in the manner, form, and time schedule as the attorney general may prescribe.

     The attorney general may audit the reporting entities to determine the accuracy of the reports and other information required by this subsection.

     (b)  The county of a chief of police who fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be assessed a fine of $100 for each day the chief of police is not in compliance.  The attorney general shall enforce this penalty and deposit the fines into the general fund."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Criminal Justice Data

 

Description:

Requires chiefs of police and agencies of State and county government that have the power of arrest to report crime incident reports to the Attorney General.  Counties shall be fined for noncompliance by county police departments.

 

 

 

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