HI SCR128

Requests the Hawaii Paroling Authority to convene a working group to examine smarter sentencing principles and improve the quality and reliability of the state's criminal justice sentencing policies and practices.

Working group shall research: the number of cases over the past ten years where smarter sentencing principles were applied, cases where such principles were applicable, and possibilities for designing and implementing smarter sentencing processes.

Working group membership includes legislative committee chairs, county prosecutors, public defenders, the Attorney General, Director of Public Safety, two judicial appointees, representatives from the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hawaii, plus four community members appointed by the Governor.

Working group must select a chairperson, meet at least five times before December 31, 2015, and submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session.

Working group dissolves on June 30, 2016, and members are exempt from Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 84 solely due to their participation in the working group.