STAND. COM. REP. NO.  47

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 447

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 447 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make temporary restraining orders for the abuse of a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person more accessible by:

(1)  Removing redundant requirements that the family courts report to the Department of Human Services each time such a temporary restraining order is sought; and

     (2)  Relieving the Department of Human Services of the duty to investigate each such allegation and to submit a written report to the family courts in advance of the hearing on the temporary restraining order.  

The Department of Human Services; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Domestic Violence Action Center; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; PHOCUSED; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Parents and Children Together; and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Judiciary testified in opposition to this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion.

     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. 447, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 447, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

DEE MORIKAWA, Chair