STAND. COM. REP. NO. 735

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 980

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 980, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to broaden the Department of Human Services' right of entry into a vulnerable adult's premises without a warrant for investigation of any type of abuse, regardless of whether there is a physical injury.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Executive Office on Aging, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that abuse of vulnerable persons can take many forms, including physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, caregiver neglect, and self‑neglect. Your Committee further finds that under existing law, the Department of Human Services may only conduct a warrantless entry when there is probably cause that the vulnerable adult will be physically injured. Your Committee finds that this measure is necessary to quickly protect vulnerable persons from other forms of abuse.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 980, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair