HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

704

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO fAMILY RELATIONS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 709, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§709-     Bullying in the home.  (1)  A person commits the offense of bullying in the home if the person intentionally subjects a family or household member to abusive conduct with intent to create, or in reckless disregard of the risk of creating, an intimidating, threatening, or abusive home environment for the family or household member.

     (2)  For the purposes of this section:

         (a)  "Family or household member" means spouses or former spouses, parents, children, or persons jointly residing or formerly residing in the same dwelling unit; and

         (b)  "Abusive conduct":

              (i)  Means malicious conduct, whether by acts or omission of acts, that a reasonable person would find hostile, based on the severity, nature, and frequency of the defendant's conduct;

             (ii)  Includes repeated infliction of verbal abuse such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, and epithets; or verbal or physical conduct of a threatening, intimidating, or humiliating nature.

     (3)  Bullying in the home is a misdemeanor.

     (4)  A person convicted under this section shall be required to undergo a counseling program as ordered by the court."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Offenses Against the Family; Bullying

 

Description:

Makes bullying in the home a misdemeanor offense and requires counseling for anyone convicted of the offense.

 

 

 

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