STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1163-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2054

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to guide the courts when awarding custody and visitation rights in disputes over a minor child.  This bill clarifies the existing standards followed by the courts by providing criteria to help determine what constitutes the best interest of the child.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that a separation can be a type other than marital;

     (2)  Clarifying that parents need to demonstrate certain actions, rather than have the ability to meet some of the criteria; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair