Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 68 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Judiciary to establish a program of mandatory education and training for judges hearing family court cases or domestic abuse cases, or both.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Hawai'i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, YWCA of Kauai, and five private citizens. Testimony in opposition was received from the Judiciary and the Public Defender.

The intent of this measure is that all judges who handle family law and domestic violence cases be knowledgeable about the many issues concerning these areas through formal education and training. Your Committee intends that per diem and new judges be included in the program. Your Committee appreciates that the Judiciary sends its judges to national seminars and conducts its own training sessions. However, your Committee believes this measure, which is similar to laws in California, New Jersey, and Texas, is needed to ensure the continued availability of a continuing education and training program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making the whole measure effective on July 1, 2001.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 68, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 68, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.