STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1045

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 669

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 669, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to streamline requirements for communication and collaborative action between the Family Court and the Department of Human Services in proceedings for domestic abuse protective orders. 

     Specifically, this measure repeals statutory language mandating Departmental participation in all proceedings for a protective order that involve a minor or incapacitated adult.  Instead, this measure grants the Family Court discretion to request that the Department provide a report on the safety of a minor child involved in protective order proceedings and excuses the Department from appearing at a hearing if the report is provided in written format.

The Judiciary, DHS, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Domestic Violence Action Center supported this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 669, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair