STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2147

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2740

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2740 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GUARDIANS AD LITEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the Judiciary to compensate guardians ad litem for involuntary hospitalization and assisted community treatment petitions at a rate higher than existing statutory guidelines; and

(2) Make an appropriation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that guardians ad litem have an important role in supporting persons who are being considered for involuntary hospitalization or assisted community treatment. Persons subject to involuntary hospitalization and assisted community treatment positions are often in a vulnerable state and a guardian ad litem is there to represent their best interests. A guardian ad litem, by attending with or on behalf of the person who is the subject of a mental health petition, will be able to decrease delays in the court's review of the petition and ensure that the person, who might be absent or otherwise unable to meaningfully participate in the proceedings, has a representative available who will act in their best interest. This measure will increase the number of people willing to serve as guardians ad litem by attracting them with adequate compensation.

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 S.B. No. 2740 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair