Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 52, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Senate and House Committees on Human Services to convene and conduct interim hearings on the use of legal interventions available to the Family Court, including an assessment of the caseload, the long-term use of such interventions such as temporary restraining orders (TROs), the selection, use, and accountability of custody guardians ad litem, factfinders, parenting coordinators, and other court appointed personnel, an evaluation of definitions of the best interests of the child, an examination of other issues that may impact the timely and fair resolution of cases, and identification of practices that meet an acceptable national standard of care for the children and families before the Family Court.

Blueprint For Change, Children's Rights Council, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association and two concerned citizens submitted written testimony in support of this measure. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the measure with amendments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 52, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.