STAND. COM. REP. NO.  972

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 957

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 957, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to establish a Citizen's Family Law Advisory Committee consisting of judiciary personnel, family court professionals, related service providers, the public, and other stakeholders to assist the Judiciary and the Legislature in improving the family court by:

(1)  Gathering input and information regarding family law and family court issues or complaints;

(2)  Conducting studies, evaluations, or surveys related to family law and family court issues;

(3)  Reviewing legislation, administrative procedures, and proposals relating to family law and family court issues; and

(4)  Evaluating alternatives and making recommendations relating to family law and family court issues.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Judiciary opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by substituting a substantial portion of its contents with provisions that allow a temporary Domestic Violence and Citizen's Family Law Advisory Task Force (Task Force) to be established within the Judiciary.  Among other things, the amendments:

(1)  Establish the Task Force membership;

(2)  Allow the Task Force to discuss and seek policy to assist the Judiciary and Legislature in continuing to improve the family court by:

(A)  Gathering input and information regarding family law and family court issues or complaints;

(B)  Conducting studies, evaluations or surveys related to family law and family court issues;

(C)  Reviewing legislation, administrative procedures, and proposals relating to family law and family court issues; and

(D)  Evaluating alternatives and making recommendations relating to family law and family court issues;

and

(3)  Require the Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Judiciary and Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012 and 2013.

     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. 957, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 957, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, 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