Bill Text: HI HB360 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Correctional Facilities; Sick Leave; Inmate Visitation Hours; Temporary Private Corrections Officers
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB360 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB360-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
360 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to corrections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ongoing prevalence of adult corrections officers using sick leave has serious consequences for the limited visitation opportunities afforded to inmates and their families and friends. For example, the local news media has reported that at the Oahu community correctional center, where visitors are allowed only one weekend day each week, visitors were denied all but four of the twenty-two possible visitation days in a span of two and one-half months in the beginning of 2014 because of staffing shortages caused by corrections officers calling in sick.
The legislature further finds that correctional facility visitations are vital for the inmates' peace of mind and rehabilitation and as a means of receiving support from family and friends. A lack or reduction of visitation opportunities can be detrimental to the overall safety of correctional facilities by promoting inmate agitation and requiring corrections officers to work extra hours that exact a physical toll and may affect performance. Hence, the frequency of sick leave use at correctional facilities has negative effects on the well-being of the inmates, correctional officers, and the public alike.
The purpose of this Act is to protect the interests of correctional facility inmates and their families and friends, the corrections officers, and the public by authorizing the department of public safety to hire private employees as temporary corrections officers, as necessary to maintain regular visitation hours for inmates or to otherwise ensure adequate staffing.
SECTION 2. Chapter 353, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§353- Temporary employment of private corrections officers. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary or any provision of a collective bargaining agreement executed pursuant to chapter 89, the director may contract with any private entity to perform the services and functions of a corrections officer at any correctional facility under the administration of the department, on a temporary basis and as may be necessary to maintain regular visitation hours for inmates or to otherwise ensure sufficient staffing at the facility; provided that:
(1) Any contract entered into pursuant to this section shall be for a term not exceeding ; and
(2) No person shall be hired pursuant to this section unless the person possesses the qualifications necessary to competently perform the services and functions of a corrections officer, as determined by the director."
SECTION 3. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Correctional Facilities; Sick Leave; Inmate Visitation Hours; Temporary Private Corrections Officers
Description:
Authorizes PSD to hire private employees as temporary corrections officers as necessary to maintain regular visitation hours for inmates or to otherwise ensure adequate staffing.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
