RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how private employers will use these certificates.

Certificate of Employment Suitability for Offenders

This bill requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to issue a certificate showing an offender's readiness for employment after completing their sentence and programs, and it provides funding.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to issue certificates indicating that offenders are suitable for employment upon completion of their sentences and related obligations.
• Instructs the department to collaborate with state and federal agencies as well as private employers to educate stakeholders about these certificates.
• Allocates funds from general revenues to support the implementation and administration of this certificate system.

Who It Names or Affects

• Offenders who have completed their sentences and are seeking employment opportunities.
• State and federal agencies involved in offender reentry programs.
• Private employers considering hiring former offenders.

Terms To Know

Certificate of suitability for employment

A document issued by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that shows an offender has completed their sentence and is ready to work.

Offender reentry programs

Programs designed to help offenders reintegrate into society after completing their sentences.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact amount of funding provided for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
• It is unclear how private employers will use these certificates when considering job applicants.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.
DCR; Offender Reentry; Certification; Suitability for Employment ($)
Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to issue a certificate of suitability for employment. Requires the Department to collaborate with state and federal agencies and private employers to educate stakeholders on the certification. Appropriate funds.

Current Bill Text

HB481

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

481

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to offender reentry.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 353H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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"
�353H-
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Certificate of suitability for employment.
�
(a)
�
The department of corrections and
rehabilitation shall issue a certificate of suitability for employment to
include evidence of the following:

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(1)
�
Fulfilment of sentence
and all post-release obligations;

����
(2)
�
Completion of
offender reentry programs; and

����
(3)
�
Readiness for
employment opportunities.

����
(b)
�
The department shall work closely and
collaborate with state and federal agencies and private employers to educate
stakeholders on the certification.

����
(c)
�
The department shall make rules pursuant to
chapter 91 relating to the issuance and interpretation of the certificate and
its relevance to existing criminal history record checks.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
��������
or so much thereof as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to implement and administer the certification
of suitability for employment.

����
The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections
and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DCR; Offender
Reentry; Certification; Suitability for Employment

Description:

Requires
the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to issue a certificate of
suitability for employment.
�
Requires the
Department to collaborate with state and federal agencies and private employers
to educate stakeholders on the certification.
�

Appropriate funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.