STAND. COM. REP. NO.  383-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1798

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1798 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to address the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline in the State by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying the use of reasonable corporal punishment; and

 

     (2)  Repealing the justification of use of force by parents, guardians, teachers, or other persons otherwise entrusted with the care or supervision of a minor.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery and ten individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that section 703-309, Hawaii Revised Statutes, covers the use of force by parents and guardians when discipling children in their care.  According to testimony presented by the Office of the Public Defender, the law provides guidance on the use of physical discipline and corporal punishment by a parent or guardian, as well as guidance on the type of force that is justifiable and when it is not justifiable.  Your Committee recognizes that societal norms and public opinion as they relate to appropriate and acceptable force, discipline, and punishment have bearing on changes to laws and policies.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing language that would have established a new section in the Penal Code about reasonable corporal punishment;

 

     (2)  Removing language that would have repealed the justification of use of force by parents, guardians, teachers, and persons otherwise entrusted with the care or supervision of a minor;

 

     (3)  Requiring the Attorney General to convene a working group to examine laws relating to corporal punishment as a form of discipline in the State and submit a report to the Legislature;

 

     (4)  Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1798, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1798, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair