| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that prison pet programs started in the 1980s as a way to decrease recidivism. Several states, including California and Indiana, have implemented programs that allow inmates to foster animals while incarcerated. Research shows that pet programs improve personal responsibility for inmates; relationships between inmates, prison staff, and administrators; and inmates' self-esteem, self-efficacy, and empathy. Pet programs have also been shown to increase emotional intelligence, coping skills, work ethic, and employability, which improve the chances of job readiness and are critical factors in reducing recidivism. Pet programs also help to address staffing problems in animal shelters by having inmates care for animals and prepare them for adoption. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Require the department of corrections and rehabilitation to establish a one-year pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated; (2) Require the department of corrections and rehabilitation to submit a report to the legislature; and (3) Appropriate funds. SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of corrections and rehabilitation a one-year pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated. (b) The department of corrections and rehabilitation may contract with a public or private animal shelter or animal welfare agency to carry out the purposes of this Act. (c) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025. SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 4. 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 2024-2025 to establish a pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated; provided that the funds may be used for personnel costs, supplies, and other related expenses to operate the pilot program. The appropriation made by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that prison pet programs started in the 1980s as a way to decrease recidivism. Several states, including Indiana and California, have implemented programs that allow inmates to foster animals while incarcerated. Research shows that pet programs improve personal responsibility for offenders; relationships between inmates, prison staff, and administrators; and inmates' self-esteem, self-efficacy, and empathy. Pet programs have also been shown to increase emotional intelligence, coping skills, and work ethic and employability, which improve the chances of job readiness and are critical factors in reducing recidivism. Pet programs also help to address staffing problems in the American animal sheltering system by having inmates care for animals and prepare them for adoption. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Require the department of corrections and rehabilitation to establish a one-year pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated; (2) Require the department of corrections and rehabilitation to submit a report to the legislature; and (3) Appropriate funds. SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of corrections and rehabilitation a one-year pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated. (b) The department of corrections and rehabilitation may contract with a public or private animal shelter or animal welfare agency to carry out the purposes of this Act. (c) The department of corrections and rehabilitation shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025. SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 4. 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 2024-2025 for the department of corrections and rehabilitation to establish a pilot program to allow inmates incarcerated at the women's community correctional center to foster pets while incarcerated; provided that the funds may be used for personnel costs, supplies, and other related expenses to operate the pilot program. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of corrections and rehabilitation for the purposes of this Act; provided that all moneys that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2042. |
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