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 S.B. No. 3235 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the family court's "Kids First" program and appropriate funds.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, an educator from the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and two individuals. The Judiciary took no position on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the Kids First program is an important avenue for families who are experiencing a separation or divorce to focus on the children who may need additional support and understanding during the period of transition.

Your Committee amended this measure by deleting the requirement to develop a parenting plan and instead emphasizing the importance of the development of a parenting plan. The Judiciary is working with the Family Law Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association to include information about developing a parenting plan in the information provided to parents at family court.

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 S.B. No. 3235, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3235, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.