Bill > HB648

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit's Probate and Family Courts to provide financial support for critical guardianship and conservatorship court resources when respondents cannot afford them. Specifically, the program will fund three key services: (1) "kokua kanawai" investigations, which are independent assessments of a respondent's personal circumstances; (2) guardians ad litem, who represent the respondent's best interests; and (3) professional evaluations such as psychological, neurocognitive, or functional assessments. The pilot program aims to make court proceedings more equitable by ensuring that individuals subject to guardianship or conservatorship proceedings can access essential evaluative resources regardless of their financial means. The Judiciary is required to submit detailed reports to the Governor and Legislature before the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions, describing the program's status, number of people served, and recommendations for future implementation. The bill appropriates $50,000 for each of the two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to support these services in both the Probate and Family Courts, with the program set to begin on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=648&year=2025