Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1859, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require members of the clergy to report cases of child abuse, but exempting confidential clergy communications.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Services, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Hawaii Coalition Against Sexual Assault, National Association of Social Workers, Christian Science Committee on Publication, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that members of the clergy and other staff of religious organizations should have the legal responsibility and duty to provide information of child abuse or neglect to ensure the safety and well being of a child, except when the clergy obtains that information in a confidential communication.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1859, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.