Report Title:

Domestic Abuse; Child Witness; Law Enforcement Reporting

 

Description:

Requires law enforcement officers to report to the Department of Human Services (DHS) when a child witnesses an incident of domestic abuse.  Requires DHS to collaborate with other agencies and organizations establish procedures and protocols and report to the legislature.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

873

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to domestic violence.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 587, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part   .   CHILD WITNESS TO DOMESTIC ABUSE

     §587-     Definitions.  As used in this part:

     "Domestic abuse" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 586-1.

     "Law enforcement officer" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 701-118(10).

     §587-     Child witness to domestic abuse; reporting.  (a)  A law enforcement officer shall notify the department whenever substantial evidence exists to support a finding by the law enforcement officer that a child has witnessed an incident of domestic abuse inflicted upon the child's parent or legal guardian.

     (b)  In determining whether substantial evidence exists for purposes of subsection (a), the law enforcement officer shall consider the following:

     (1)  Whether there is evidence that the child observed the domestic abuse;

     (2)  Whether there is evidence that the child was exposed to physical harm during the domestic abuse;

     (3)  Whether there is evidence that the child heard the incident of domestic abuse occur; and

     (4)  Whether there is evidence that the child heard or observed threats related to reporting the domestic abuse."

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of human services shall collaborate with law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, child abuse and domestic violence experts and organizations, community-based organizations serving abused children and victims of domestic violence, and other relevant agencies and organizations to develop protocols and procedures related to the provisions established in section 1 of this Act.

     (b)  The department of human services shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.


 

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval, except that section 1 shall take effect on January 1, 2010.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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