STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2123

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2477

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2477 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NONREPORTING ON CHILD ABUSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the penalty for nonreporting of the abuse or neglect of a child, from a petty misdemeanor to a class C felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from IMUAlliance; Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate; Rainbow Family 808; Patients Without Time; Justice, Peace and Healing for Sons and Daughters; and ten individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawai‘i Psychology Association and We Are One, Inc.

Your Committee finds that, in 2015, the Department of Human Services reported that a total of 3,747 reports were made regarding child abuse in the State. Your Committee further finds that it is estimated that for every report made, two go unreported in the United States. Your Committee notes that the current lawsuit filed by former Kamehameha Schools students, who were abused by a psychiatrist recommended by the school, shows the importance of reporting any case of child abuse to the proper authority. Elevating the offense of nonreporting of the abuse or neglect of a child to a felony demonstrates the importance of reporting these cases and establishes a stronger deterrent to noncompliance.

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. 2477 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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JOSH GREEN, Chair