STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1281

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 18

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 18, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal statutory limitations on the time periods in which a survivor of childhood sexual abuse may file a civil action.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Parents and Children Together, American Association of University Women of Hawaii, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Rainbow Family 808, Honolulu County Republican Party, and ten individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

 

     Your Committee finds that survivors of childhood sexual abuse often do not divulge the truth about their experiences until they reach adulthood due to feelings of fear, disbelief, anger, helplessness, anxiety, and embarrassment.  Your Committee further finds that although these feelings are not the survivor's fault, they can prevent survivors from considering legal action against their abusers until the statute of limitations for such claims has expired.  Your Committee additionally finds that the direct consequences of childhood abuse should not block survivors of childhood sexual abuse from seeking civil redress in the courts.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon approval.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 18, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 18, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair