Bill > HB239

This bill amends Hawaii's legal definition of child abuse or neglect to clarify that a parent's inability to provide for a child's basic needs due solely to lack of financial resources will not be considered child abuse or neglect. The bill recognizes that poverty and child neglect are often correlated but are not the same thing, and that an inability to provide is different from an unwillingness to provide. Specifically, the legislation modifies the existing definition to state that when a child is not provided with adequate food, clothing, shelter, psychological care, physical care, medical care, or supervision, this will not automatically constitute abuse or neglect if the sole reason for the lack of provision is the parent's financial limitations. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that a parent's request for support services cannot be used as evidence of child abuse or neglect. The legislature's intent is to ensure that families experiencing poverty are not unfairly penalized or have their children removed simply because of economic hardship, while still maintaining protections for children's welfare and safety.

Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=239&year=2025