HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1529

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to the judiciary.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The auditor shall conduct a financial and management audit of the family court of the first circuit to determine if the family court is in compliance with all relevant programmatic and financial requirements.  The audit shall include a review of the following:

     (1)  The appointments of guardians ad litem;

     (2)  The responsibilities, services, and activities of guardians ad litem;

     (3)  The propriety of expenditures;

     (4)  The compliance of guardians ad litem with laws and rules;

     (5)  The management and oversight of guardians ad litem by the judiciary;

     (6)  Child custody evaluations;

     (7)  Qualifications and training of mediators and evaluators;

     (8)  Determinations of income of parties;

     (9)  Whether the focus of the courts is on the best interests of the child;

    (10) The child custody process; and

    (11)  Any additional audit issues that the auditor deems appropriate.

     SECTION 2.  The judiciary and any person receiving state funds for service performed as a guardian ad litem, mediator, or child custody evaluator shall fully cooperate with and provide assistance to the auditor as needed with respect to the audit and shall respond promptly to the auditor's requests in conducting this audit, including providing records and other information requested in the course of the audit.

     SECTION 3.  The auditor shall submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Judiciary; Family Court; Children; Guardians Ad Litem; Mediation; Child Custody

 

Description:

Requires the auditor to perform a management and performance audit of the family court of the first circuit, including activities by guardians ad litem, child custody evaluations, mediator and evaluator qualifications and training, income determination, decisions made in the best interests of the child, and the child custody process.

 

 

 

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