Report Title:

Annulment, divorce, and separation

Description:

Allows annulment, divorce, and separation proceedings under chapter 580 to be held at Circuit Court at 777 Punchbowl Street unless the parties agree to have proceedings held at different court.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3321
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to chapter 580, Hawaii revised statutes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 580-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "PART I.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

§580-1  Jurisdiction; hearing.  Exclusive original jurisdiction in matters of annulment, divorce, and separation, subject to section 603-37 as to change of venue, and subject also to appeal according to law, is conferred upon the family court of the circuit in which the applicant has been domiciled or has been physically present for a continuous period of at least three months next preceding the application therefor.  No absolute divorce from the bond of matrimony shall be granted for any cause unless either party to the marriage has been domiciled or has been physically present in the State for a continuous period of at least six months next preceding the application therefor.  A person who may be residing on any military or federal base, installation, or reservation within the State or who may be present in the State under military orders shall not thereby be prohibited from meeting the requirements of this section.

In matters of exclusive jurisdiction conferred upon a family court pursuant to this section, in a circuit with a population greater than 500,000, venue shall be at the circuit court located at 777 Punchbowl Street, unless the parties agree to a different venue."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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