HI HR93

Requests the Judicial Council to appoint a committee to review the Hawaii Penal Code and recommend revisions to ensure sentences are fair and proportionate to crimes committed.

Committee must include 15 types of members including judiciary representatives, legislators, Attorney General, county prosecutors, public defenders, economists, psychologists, law enforcement, and victim and prisoner advocacy groups, with at least one member from each county.

Committee shall review the American Law Institute Model Penal Code, other states' criminal codes, and assess the "Justice Reinvestment in Hawaii" report with particular focus on code sections linking culpability to dollar amounts.

Committee must analyze whether grades and punishment are appropriate, proportionate, and cost-effective in deterring crime and reducing recidivism while ensuring equal justice regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnicity.

Judicial Council must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Governor and Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2016 Regular Session convenes.