STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1336

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 395

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 395, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the safe places for youth pilot program and to amend guidelines for courts to use in awarding custody of a minor child.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Adult Friends for Youth; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery; Community Alliance for Mental Health; IMUAlliance; and sixty-seven individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to part II of this measure from the Judiciary.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Youth Services and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that a safe places for youth pilot program and an appropriation to support it will help to link youth services and provide 24-hour crisis response for youth to access services needed to overcome negative influences.  Your Committee further finds that, when awarding custody of a minor child, the court should be guided by a preference for awarding custody to both parents to maximize the child's physical, emotional, and meaningful contact with each parent.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Amending the definition of "youth" to specify individuals under the age of twenty-one;

 

(2)  Adding a repeal date for part 1 of the measure, to coincide with the termination date of the youth pilot program already established by the measure; and

 

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     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. 395, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 395, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair