RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, each day in Hawaii there are teenagers living on the streets, running away from abusive household situations and foster care, and confronting adult issues, who are unable to legally gain shelter; and

WHEREAS, teenage parents currently are unable to legally make decisions for and seek custody of their children; and

WHEREAS, current state law only allows for emancipation of a person under the age of eighteen upon the person's marriage; and

WHEREAS, the State has a vital interest in ensuring that there are legal mechanisms available to protect young adults from prostitution, sexual predators, and abuse and to provide necessary safety net services so teenagers do not fall through the cracks; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study of Hawaii's laws affecting youth under the age of eighteen and to recommend appropriate statutory changes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests that the study include:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lead Judge of the Family Court of each circuit, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Attorney General are requested to cooperate with the Legislative Reference Bureau in its study; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to consult with youth advocate stakeholders and representatives of public interest groups, including, but not limited to, Hale Kipa, Inc., the Waikiki Health Center, the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition, Children's Rights Council of Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Na Keiki Law Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Blueprint for Change, and GirlFest; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to meet with these youth advocate stakeholders and representatives of public interest groups, as a group for purposes of determining the selected issues and otherwise if deemed beneficial; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Lead Judge of the Family Court for each circuit, the Director of Human Services, the Director of Health, the Superintendent of Education, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Report Title:

Laws Governing At-Risk Youth; LRB Study