STAND. COM. REP. NO. 521

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1283

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1283 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse; and

(2) Clarify the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the legal system plays a critical role in ensuring that survivors of domestic violence are not further harmed during legal proceedings, particularly in paternity and custody cases. Without proper safeguards, mediation can become another avenue for an abuser to exert control, creating additional emotional and psychological distress for survivors. This measure addresses these concerns by establishing an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse while also clarifying similar exemptions in divorce cases, ensuring that legal proceedings do not become a tool for further abuse.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1283, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1283, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair