STAND. COM. REP. NO.  749-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1972

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1972, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL RELEASE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a medical release program within the Department of Public Safety for certain ill, disabled, or impaired inmates who pose a low risk to public safety.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, and six individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Paroling Authority.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety and Community Alliance on Prisons.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1972, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair