Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2050, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to add abuse orders of protection issued against a Hawaii resident as information that must be disclosed by a Hawaii resident as part of the resident's marital history information in dealings with international matchmaking organizations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Na Loio Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Law Center, the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Your Committee finds that immigrant women who are recruited by international matchmaking organizations for the purpose of providing dating, matrimonial, or social referral services to residents are particularly vulnerable to becoming victims of domestic violence. They are often isolated, as many leave their familial and social networks behind when they immigrate to the United States. This measure enables an immigrant recruit to better determine whether to establish a relationship with a resident who may be a potential abuser and should reduce the incidence of domestic violence in our community.

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. 2050, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.