Bill Text: HI HB670 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Public Safety.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-19 - Re-referred to PVM, FIN, referral sheet 23 [HB670 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB670-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
670 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has a significant number of incarcerated youths and adults transitioning back into society. The Hawai‘i Council for Humanities launched a pilot series, Try Think, a discussion program for incarcerated individuals to reflect on current events and talk openly about their thoughts and feelings about present cultural, political, and social issues. Participants discuss a variety of contemporary topics that focus on the theme of "Community and Culture" and consider how cultural values and perceptions affect their thoughts about community and their role in society. The legislature finds that implementing a similar program throughout the State's correctional facilities will improve incarcerated individuals' transition back into society and reduce recidivism.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot program on the island of Oahu to reduce recidivism through intervention, prevention, cultural support, and education initiatives, and appropriate funds for the program.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of public safety for administrative purposes a pilot program to administer courses and other initiatives that reduce recidivism through intervention, prevention, cultural support, and education.
(b) The pilot program shall be administered at correctional facilities and centers located on the island of Oahu and may also be administered through programs conducted outside of correctional facilities and centers, such as through furlough programs and clean and sober houses, to assist individuals transitioning back into society.
(c) The pilot program shall allow participants to evaluate themselves and reflect on current local, national, and global events through courses and other initiatives designed to:
(1) Redefine themselves and the direction of their lives;
(2) Identify their roles and responsibilities within their own communities;
(3) Understand the rights and duties of citizenship and how they can be more civically engaged in their communities;
(4) Better understand and make personal connections to current events on a local, national, and international level;
(5) Participate in debates and discussions designed to challenge and improve their critical thinking skills and allow for consideration of multiple perspectives on a variety of issues; and
(6) Challenge assumptions and stereotypes they have about themselves and others and vice versa.
(d) Participants of the pilot program that are using correctional facility- and center-based initiatives shall attend weekly meetings for ten to twelve weeks. Participants of the pilot program that are using non-correctional facility- or center-based initiatives shall attend regular monthly meetings to keep participants engaged in transition back into their local communities.
(e) The department of public safety shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including a plan to implement the pilot program statewide and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the regular session of 2021.
(f) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2021.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the pilot program established pursuant to this Act and the hiring of the necessary staff to carry out the pilot program's duties and responsibilities.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Public Safety; Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a two-year pilot program on the island of Oahu to reduce recidivism through intervention, prevention, cultural support, and education initiatives. Appropriates funds. (HB670 HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
