STAND. COM. REP. NO.  522

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 320

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 320 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Public Safety to issue certificates to inmates who complete rehabilitation programs.

 

     The Department of Public Safety, Johnson Control Industries, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed this measure.  Community Alliance on Prisons offered comments.

 

     Your Committee notes the concerns of the Hawaii Paroling Authority that this measure may have the unintended effect of having the unauthorized release of an inmate's protected health care or treatment information as it relates to substance abuse, mental health, sex offender treatment programs, and any other rehabilitative program where the information is considered protected under state or federal law.  However, your Committee believes that this measure deserves consideration and further discussion as it moves through the legislative process.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the Department of Public Safety shall provide the certificate to an inmate at the completion of the rehabilitation program, rather than providing the certificate at a later date.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 320, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 320, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair