STAND. COM. REP. NO. 955

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 349

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 349, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the original jurisdiction of family court to include proceedings concerning the emancipation of minors;

(2) Specify the rights of an emancipated minor; and

(3) Establish procedures for the emancipation of minors.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Youth Services Network, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Opportunity Youth Action Hawai‘i, and Residential Youth Services & Empowerment. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the AHA Foundation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 349, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair