STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1591-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 58

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 58 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NECESSITY OF MANDATORY REFERRALS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR INVESTIGATION OR INTERVENTION IN ALL CASES OF ALLEGED DOMESTIC ABUSE INVOLVING A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER WHO IS A MINOR OR INCAPACITATED PERSON,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Judiciary conduct a study on the necessity of mandatory referrals to the Department of Human Services for investigation or intervention in all cases of alleged domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Domestic Violence Action Center. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that when a parent seeks a restraining order against an abusive family or household member when domestic abuse occurs in a household in which a child resides, existing law requires the court-appointed entity assisting the parent with filing the petition to refer the matter to the Department of Human Services for intervention or investigation by the Child Welfare Services Branch. Your Committee further finds that this mandatory referral may not be necessary because judges have the discretionary authority to refer a case to the Department of Human Services where an investigation is warranted to ensure the family's safety and provide services to support their safety and well-being.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Judiciary in their testimony that there is some confusion regarding the intent and scope of the proposed study, including whether the requested study is to be limited to a particular section or chapter of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and whether the Judiciary is the appropriate entity to conduct the study. Further discussion regarding these concerns may be warranted as this measure moves through the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 58, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 58, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair