S.B. 2523 Summary

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to expend $450,045 from fiscal year 2020-2021 general funds (PSD900) specifically for the community-based work furlough program for female inmates.

• Prohibits expenditure of other PSD900 funds until the work furlough program funding requirement is implemented.

• Program places up to 23 women from the women's community correctional center on Oahu in a residential program with job readiness services, maintaining an 84% success rate of keeping participants out of prison.

• Takes effect retroactively to June 30, 2020, addressing the Department of Public Safety's announced cancellation of the program due to COVID-19 pandemic budget cuts.