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GM 1335

Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB304 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 233).

2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Act 233 creates eight probation officer positions plus support staff to align the First Circuit’s adult supervision with national standards and reduce caseloads.

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Bill Summary · GM 1335

Summary: GM1335 — Act Relating to the Judiciary (Act 233)

Overview

  • GM1335 is a governor’s proclamation informing that SB304 SD1 HD2 CD1 has been signed into law as Act 233 (Relating to the Judiciary).
  • Enacted: June 26, 2025; Effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • Primary focus: Align the Hawaii judiciary’s adult supervision practices with national standards by increasing permanent staffing in the First Circuit’s adult client services branch.

Purpose and Intent

  • Purpose: Enable the adult client services branch to move toward national best-practice standards for community supervision by establishing permanent positions funded through general revenues.
  • Rationale: National standards (American Probation and Parole Association) advocate smaller caseloads for higher-risk individuals to improve supervision quality and outcomes. Current staffing is described as insufficient to meet these standards.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Legislative findings citing APPA national standards for caseload distributions and evidence that smaller, risk-aligned caseloads improve outcomes (including reduced recidivism) when staffing allows it. States the act will move the First Circuit toward these standards.
  • Section 2: Fiscal appropriation
    • Total: $739,440 (general revenues) for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027, to establish permanent positions in the First Circuit’s adult client services branch.
    • Positions funded (8.0 FTE total):
    • Probation Officers: 8 positions at $73,836 each.
    • Social Worker Assistant: 1 position at $50,880.
    • Clerks: 2 positions at $48,936 each.
  • Section 3: Operating expenses appropriation
    • $140,000 (general revenues) for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027 to support operating costs of the adult client services branch.
  • Section 4: Effective date
    • The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Fiscal and Operational Impact

  • Agencies Affected: Hawaii Judiciary (First Circuit Court).
  • Financial Impact: Permanent positions funded and operating expenses provided for two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027), with amounts specified above. Expenditures are appropriated for the purposes of the act.
  • Staffing Impact: Establishes eight probation officer positions, one social worker assistant, and two clerks within the adult client services branch, increasing capacity to supervise higher-risk individuals and deliver related services (e.g., office sessions, field visits, treatment referrals).

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: State judiciary, specifically the First Circuit Court’s adult client services branch.
  • Beneficiaries: Individuals under community supervision (probation) and the broader justice system through enhanced supervision, oversight, and treatment support.

Contextual Notes

  • The bill references 2024 APPA standards for caseloads (intensive 20:1; moderate-high 50:1; low risk 200:1) and cites research linking smaller, risk-adjusted caseloads to better outcomes and reduced recidivism.
  • The act explicitly acknowledges staffing constraints and uses targeted funding to bring the First Circuit closer to these national benchmarks.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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