HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2428

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 587A-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Exigent circumstances" means that based on specific and articulable evidence, there is reasonable cause to believe that immediately assuming protective custody and temporary foster custody of a child is necessary to protect the child from serious harm that is likely to occur before a court order can be obtained pursuant to section 587A-11(9)."

     2.  By amending the definition of "harm" to read:

     ""Harm" [means damage or injury to a child's physical or psychological health or welfare, where:

     (1)  The child exhibits evidence of injury, including, but not limited to:

          (A)  Substantial or multiple skin bruising;

          (B)  Substantial external or internal bleeding;

          (C)  Burn or burns;

          (D)  Malnutrition;

          (E)  Failure to thrive;

          (F)  Soft tissue swelling;

          (G)  Extreme pain;

          (H)  Extreme mental distress;

          (I)  Gross degradation;

          (J)  Poisoning;

          (K)  Fracture of any bone;

          (L)  Subdural hematoma; or

          (M)  Death;

          and the injury is not justifiably explained, or the history given concerning the condition or death is not consistent with the degree or type of the condition or death, or there is evidence that the condition or death may not be the result of an accident;

     (2)  The child has been the victim of sexual contact or conduct, including sexual assault; sodomy; molestation; sexual fondling; incest; prostitution; obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depiction; or other similar forms of sexual exploitation, including but not limited to acts that constitute an offense pursuant to section 712-1202(1)(b);

     (3)  The child's psychological well-being has been injured as evidenced by a substantial impairment in the child's ability to function;

     (4)  The child is not provided in a timely manner with adequate food; clothing; shelter; supervision; or psychological, physical, or medical care;

     (5)  The child is provided with dangerous, harmful, or detrimental drugs as defined in section 712-1240, except when a child's family administers drugs to the child as directed or prescribed by a practitioner as defined in section 712-1240; or

     (6)  The child has been the victim of labor trafficking under chapter 707.] has the same meaning as "child abuse or neglect" as defined in section 350-1."

     3.  By amending the definition of "imminent harm" to read:

     ""Imminent harm" means that [without intervention within the next ninety days,] there is reasonable cause to believe that harm to the child will occur or reoccur[.] and no reasonable efforts other than removal of the child from the family home will adequately prevent the harm."

     SECTION 2.  Section 587A-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§587A-8[]]  Protective custody by police officer [without court order].  (a)  A police officer shall assume protective custody of a child [without a court order and without the consent of the child's family, if in the discretion of the police officer, the officer determines that:

     (1)  The child is subject to imminent harm while in the custody of the child's family;

     (2)  The child has no parent, as defined in this chapter, who is willing and able to provide a safe family home for the child;

     (3)  The child has no caregiver, as defined in this chapter, who is willing and able to provide a safe and appropriate placement for the child; or

     (4)  The child's parent has subjected the child to harm or threatened harm and the parent is likely to flee with the child.]:

     (1)  With the consent of the child's family;

     (2)  Upon order of the court; or

     (3)  Without the consent of the child's family and without a court order if, in the discretion of the police officer, the officer determines that exigent circumstances are present.

     (b)  The department shall assume temporary foster custody of the child when a police officer has completed the transfer of protective custody of the child to the department as follows:

     (1)  A police officer who assumes protective custody of a child shall complete transfer of protective custody to the department by presenting physical custody of the child to the department; or

     (2)  If the child is or will be admitted to a hospital or similar institution, the police officer shall immediately complete the transfer of protective custody to the department by notifying the department and receiving an acknowledgment from the hospital or similar institution that it has been informed that the child is under the temporary foster custody of the department."

     SECTION 3.  Section 587A-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§587A-9  Temporary foster custody [without court order].  (a)  [When the department receives protective custody of a child from the police, the department shall:

     (1)  Assume temporary foster custody of the child if, in the discretion of the department, the department determines that the child is subject to imminent harm while in the custody of the child's family;] The department shall assume temporary foster custody of a child:

     (1)  With the consent of the child's family;

     (2)  Upon order of the court; or

     (3)  Without the consent of the child's family and without a court order, upon the transfer of protective custody from a police officer if, in the discretion of the department, the department determines that exigent circumstances are present.

     (b)  When the department assumes temporary foster custody of a child, the department shall:

    [(2)] (1)  Make every reasonable effort to inform the child's parents of the actions taken, unless doing so would put another person at risk of harm;

    [(3)] (2)  Unless the child is admitted to a hospital or similar institution, place the child in emergency foster care while the department conducts an appropriate investigation, with placement preference being given to an approved relative;

    [(4)] (3)  With authorized agencies, make reasonable efforts to identify and notify all relatives within thirty days of assuming temporary foster custody of the child; and

    [(5)] (4)  Within three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays:

          (A)  Relinquish temporary foster custody, return the child to the child's parents, and proceed pursuant to section 587A-11(4), (5), or (6);

          (B)  Secure a voluntary placement agreement from the child's parents to place the child in foster care, and proceed pursuant to section 587A-11(6) or (8); or

          (C)  File a temporary foster custody petition with the court.

     [(b)] (c)  Upon the request of the department and without regard to parental consent, any physician licensed or authorized to practice medicine in the State shall perform an examination to determine the nature and extent of harm or threatened harm to the child under the department's temporary foster custody."

     SECTION 4.  Section 587A-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§587A-11  Investigation; department powers.  Upon receiving a report that a child is subject to imminent harm, has been harmed, or is subject to threatened harm, and when an assessment is required by this chapter, the department shall cause such investigation to be made as it deems to be appropriate.  In conducting the investigation, the department may:

     (1)  Enlist the cooperation and assistance of appropriate state and federal law enforcement authorities, who may conduct an investigation and, if an investigation is conducted, shall provide the department with all preliminary findings, including the results of a criminal history record check of an alleged perpetrator of harm or threatened harm to the child;

     (2)  Conduct a criminal history record check of an alleged perpetrator and all adults living in the family home, with or without consent, to ensure the safety of the child;

     (3)  Interview the child without the presence or prior approval of the child's family and temporarily assume protective custody of the child for the purpose of conducting the interview;

     (4)  Resolve the matter in an informal fashion that it deems appropriate under the circumstances;

     (5)  Close the matter if the department finds, after an assessment, that the child is residing with a caregiver who is willing and able to meet the child's needs and provide a safe and appropriate placement for the child;

     (6)  Immediately enter into a service plan:

          (A)  To safely maintain the child in the family home; or

          (B)  To place the child in voluntary foster care pursuant to a written agreement with the child's parent.

          If the child is placed in voluntary foster care and the family does not successfully complete the service plan within three months after the date on which the department assumed physical custody of the child, the department shall file a petition.  The department is not required to file a petition if the parents agree to adoption or legal guardianship of the child and the child's safety is ensured; provided that the adoption or legal guardianship hearing is conducted within six months of the date on which the department assumed physical custody of the child;

     (7)  Assume temporary foster custody of the child and file a petition with the court within three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after the date on which the department assumes temporary foster custody of the child, with placement preference being given to an approved relative; [or]

     (8)  File a petition or ensure that a petition is filed by another appropriate authorized agency in court under this chapter[.]; or

     (9)  Seek an order for protective custody if there is reasonable cause to believe that the child is subject to imminent harm, as follows:

          (A)  Court orders under this paragraph may be obtained upon written application by the department, without notice and without a hearing;

          (B)  If the court finds reasonable cause to believe that the child is subject to imminent harm, the court shall issue a written order that a police officer immediately take the child into protective custody and transfer custody of the child to the department, which will then assume temporary foster custody of the child pursuant to section 587A-8(b);

          (C)  If an order for protective custody is issued under this paragraph, the court shall order that a police officer make every reasonable effort to personally serve the child's parents and any person who has physical custody of the child with copies of the application and order; and

          (D)  If the department assumes temporary foster custody of the child pursuant to an order for protective custody under this paragraph, it shall proceed in accordance with section 587A-9(b)."

     SECTION 5.  Section 587A-21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  In deciding [in temporary foster custody hearings] whether there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is subject to imminent harm for orders for protective custody or in temporary foster custody hearings, the court may consider relevant hearsay evidence when direct testimony is unavailable or when it is impractical to subpoena witnesses who will be able to testify to facts based on personal knowledge."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST

 

 

Report Title:

Child Protective Act; Exigent Circumstances; Harm; Imminent Harm; Order for Protective Custody

 

Description:

Adds a definition for "exigent circumstances;" amends the definitions of "harm" and "imminent harm;" clarifies when the police may take protective custody of a child; clarifies when the department may assume temporary foster custody of a child; creates a judicial process for orders for protective custody.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.