STAND. COM. REP. NO.  320-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2502

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2502 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PARENTAL RIGHTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect children from emotional trauma or further abuse by including a conviction for incest by a natural parent as a reason courts may terminate parental rights or deny custody or visitation rights.

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center and a concerned individual supported this bill.

     Your Committee finds this measure meritorious and wishes to ensure that it moves through the legislative process.  However, should your Committee on Judiciary choose to consider this measure, attention should be given to correcting existing technical flaws.

     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 H.B. No. 2502 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,

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair