STAND. COM. REP. NO. 508________

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 274
                                     H.D. 2




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which
was referred H.B. No. 274, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect children from abuse
and neglect.

     Testmony in support of this bill was received from the State
Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the
City and County of Honolulu Police Department.  

     Testimony in opposition to this bill was received from the
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Judiciary.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed the H.D.
1 amendment requiring the Department of Commerce and Consumer
Affairs to regulate the training and licensing of guardian ad
litems.  The Judiciary opposed the licensing requirement for
volunteer guardian ad litems.

     Your Committee finds that child abuse and neglect are often
contributing factors in many serious social problems affecting
the citizens of this State, including emotional and mental
health, alcohol and drug abuse, and crime.  Your Committee finds
that the provisions of this bill are responsive to the dire need
to prevent child abuse and neglect in the State of Hawaii.

     Your Committee has amended H.B. No. 274, H.D.1, as follows:

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 508________
                                 Page 2

 
     (1)  Eliminating proposed H.R.S. Section 587-34(f) relating
          to the licensing and training of guardians ad litem;

     (2)  Adding an appropriations clause; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for
          purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 274, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in
the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 274, H.D. 2.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary &
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   PAUL T. OSHIRO, Chair