STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1519

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 648

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 648, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and fund a two-year pilot program in the probate court and family court of the First Circuit to fund certain guardianship- and conservatorship-related court services if the court deems the services beneficial and the respondent lacks the ability to pay.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and Easterseals Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the services funded by this measure, specifically Kokua Kanawai, guardians ad litem, and capacity evaluations, help courts make informed decisions about guardianships and conservatorships that are the least restrictive and that encourage the ward's maximum self-reliance and independence. The pilot program established and funded by this measure will help ensure that all respondents can benefit from these services, regardless of the person's ability to pay.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 648, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair