CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 7

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 947

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 947, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILIES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the disability of a parent or caregiver from being the sole factor in determining fitness as a foster parent, adoptive parent, guardian, parent seeking custody or visitation, or provider of a safe family home.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the court makes a decision regarding the custody, visitation, adoption, or guardianship of a child based on the welfare and best interests of the child. However, in making that determination, the disability of a parent or guardian should not be the basis for denial or restriction of custody, visitation, adoption, or guardianship of a child. This measure expressly prohibits the disability of a parent or guardian from being the sole factor in determining fitness.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by changing its effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 947, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 947, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Co-Chair	____________________________ RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN Chair
____________________________ CHRIS LEE Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair