REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC STAFFING SHORTAGES, EXPANDED STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE ESCALATING FISCAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTING AT STATE COURTS.

This bill requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii's state courts. The group would examine how expanded duties for the Department of Law Enforcement have outpaced available Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to increased reliance on private security contractors. Its purpose is to evaluate solutions for aligning staffing levels with responsibilities, improving recruitment and retention, and reducing long-term dependence on private security contracts. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, and finance to develop recommendations for addressing these systemic issues.