Bill Text: HI SB2637 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Public Safety.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-1)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2022-05-06 - Enrolled to Governor. [SB2637 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2637-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2637 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 2 |
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C.D. 1 |
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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 recognizes the importance of community-based work furlough programs for women transitioning back into the community. Since 2015, the department of public safety has contracted with a local nonprofit organization to place women from the women's community correctional center on Oahu in a residential program that provides wraparound services to assist the women as they reenter society and rebuild their lives. The residential program's job readiness and job retention programs enable women to return to the workforce, keeping eighty-four per cent of participants out of prison and providing them the opportunity to participate in and access transitional training.
The legislature finds that the community-based work furlough program is gender responsive and equipped to meet the needs of women who have sustained some form of trauma. The great majority of women who have been served by the program are mothers. The program also eases family reunification efforts, which helps to keep children from intergenerational incarceration.
The legislature further finds that the department of public safety has affirmed the importance of community-based work furlough programs for women, testifying in 2020 in support of a measure to allocate funding for that purpose by recognizing "the undisputed importance of community-based reentry programs, particularly for women".
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Mandate that there be a community-based work furlough program for incarcerated women in the State; and
(2) Appropriate funds to the department of public safety to continue and expand community-based work furlough for women.
SECTION 2. Section 353-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§353-6.5[]] Gender-responsive, community-based programs
for [female] women offenders. [Subject to funding by
the legislature, the] The department of public safety shall develop
and make available gender-responsive, community-based programs, including a community-based
work furlough program, for [female] women offenders by providing
[female] women offenders the appropriate range of opportunities
to ensure that their needs are met.
Program models designed to address [female offender needs] the
needs of women offenders shall include but are not limited to:
(1) Appropriate treatment, including substance abuse and mental health treatment;
(2) Individualized case management to help [female]
women offenders set and achieve goals;
(3) Life skills development workshops, including budgeting, money management, nutrition, and exercise;
(4) Development of self-determination through education; employment training; community-based work furlough programs; special education for the learning disabled; and social, cognitive, communication, and life skills training;
(5) Family-focused programming, including issues relating to pregnancy and single parenthood;
(6) Peer support and the development of peer networks;
(7) Transitional support for [female] women
offenders and their families to promote successful reentry into their families
and communities;
(8) Highly skilled staff experienced in working
with [female] women offenders and their concerns;
(9) Formal recognition of participant achievement;
(10) Ongoing attention to building community-based support;
(11) Assistance for [female] women
offenders who need to develop a marketable job skill and a career plan;
(12) Geographical proximity to children and family; and
(13) The goal of providing a gender-responsive continuum of care."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to ensure the continuation and expansion of community-based work furlough for women.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.
Report Title:
Department of Public Safety; Community-Based Work Furlough; Women; Appropriation
Description:
Mandates that there be a community-based work furlough program for incarcerated women in the State. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
