STAND. COM. REP. NO.  155-10

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2265

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2265 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY COURTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that the best interests of a child are taken into consideration when court custody decisions are made by amending custody and visitation criteria and procedures to expand on points the courts must consider.

 

     Several concerned individuals supported this bill.  A concerned individual supported this bill with amendments.

 

     Your Committed appreciates the comments presented to it by a concerned individual about ensuring that a child's best interests are taken into consideration when court custody decisions are made.  This should be done by taking into account the child's views, preferences, and fears about the current and prospective family situation.  Also, when considering the safe placement of a child the demonstrated actions of a parent to protect their child must be considered as well as that parent's perceived willingness to protect the child.

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests the Committee on Judiciary to consider amending the bill to address these concerns.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2265, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2265, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair