STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2015

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2028

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2028 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a program in the Family Court for the registration of child custody evaluators, and to authorize the Board of Family Court Judges to adopt certification criteria and standards for child custody evaluators.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Children's Rights Council and Angel Group, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, and three individuals.

     Written comments were submitted by The Judiciary.

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that as an important part of the family court process, child custody evaluators should be held to established standards which are developed by the Family Court.  Your Committee also notes that The Judiciary would like to exclude social workers under its employ, and that this issue warrants further discussion as this measure proceeds through the legislative process.

     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. 2028 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair