STAND. COM. REP. NO. 572

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1161

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1161 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to provide a written report to the court, which the court is to provide to the parties, at least two days before a hearing in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse.

     The Children's Rights Council and two individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Services and the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure sets a time limit on the provision of the Department of Human Services' report to the court in matters involving allegations of domestic abuse, and ensures that the parties receive a copy of the report, as well.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1161 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair