STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1010

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 108

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 108 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to extend from six to twelve months the maximum duration of a court-appointed temporary guardian for a minor.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is needed to aid temporary guardians in the military.  Under federal law, a guardian in the military qualifies for medical benefits for children in the guardian's care only if the custody order is for at least twelve consecutive months.  This bill allows the court to issue a temporary guardianship order for twelve months, allowing the child to receive medical benefits.  Your Committee also finds that a twelve month temporary guardianship will assist children who experience difficulties and need more time to transition to permanent guardianship

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 108

and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair