SB 2556 Summary

• Permanently establishes the Community Outreach Court as a division of the District Court of the First Circuit to address nonviolent offenses disproportionately affecting homeless populations on Oahu.

• Grants the court concurrent jurisdiction with district courts to consider and adjudicate nonviolent, non-felony criminal and traffic offenses for eligible offenders.

• Authorizes the court to impose alternative sentencing including community service and connect offenders with mental health services, substance abuse treatment, shelter assistance, and other social services.

• Appropriates general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish permanent positions across the judiciary, public defender's office, prosecuting attorney's office, and law enforcement to support court operations.

• Effective date is July 1, 3000 (note: this appears to be a drafting error in the original document).