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Bill > HB398


HI HB398

Relating To Compensation For Court-appointed Representation.


summary

Introduced
01/17/2025
In Committee
04/24/2025
Crossed Over
03/04/2025
Passed
05/01/2025
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem in family court proceedings. (CD1)

AI Summary

This bill increases compensation rates for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem (legal representatives appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children or incapacitated individuals) in Hawaii's family court proceedings. Specifically, the bill raises hourly rates for attorneys from $90 to $150 and for non-attorneys from $60 to $122, covering both in-court and out-of-court services. The maximum allowable fees for different types of cases are also significantly increased: for cases involving child welfare and protection (chapters 346 and 587A), predisposition fees rise from $3,000 to $5,500, and postdisposition review hearing fees increase from $1,000 to $2,000. Similarly, fees for cases involving family law matters like divorce, domestic relations, and reciprocal support (chapters 560, 571, 580, and 584) increase from $3,000 to $5,500. The bill maintains a provision allowing courts to approve payments exceeding these maximums in cases of extraordinary circumstances, ensuring fair compensation for legal representatives. The changes aim to better compensate court-appointed legal professionals and potentially improve the quality of representation in family court proceedings.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821). (on 05/02/2025)

bill text


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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=398&year=2025
BillText https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB398_CD1_.HTM
Committee Report HB398_CD1_CCR60_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB398_CD1_CCR60_.pdf
BillText https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB398_SD2_.HTM
Committee Report HB398_SD2_SSCR1480_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB398_SD2_SSCR1480_.pdf
HB398_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_03-28-25_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/Testimony/HB398_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_03-28-25_.PDF
BillText https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB398_SD1_.HTM
Committee Report HB398_SD1_SSCR1140_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB398_SD1_SSCR1140_.pdf
HB398_HD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-13-25_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/Testimony/HB398_HD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-13-25_.PDF
Committee Report HB398_HD1_HSCR1135_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB398_HD1_HSCR1135_.pdf
HB398_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-25-25_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/Testimony/HB398_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-25-25_.PDF
BillText https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB398_HD1_.HTM
Committee Report HB398_HD1_HSCR289_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB398_HD1_HSCR289_.pdf
HB398_TESTIMONY_JHA_01-30-25_ https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/Testimony/HB398_TESTIMONY_JHA_01-30-25_.PDF
BillText https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB398_.HTM
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