Bill > SB1228

This bill establishes a working group within Hawaii's judiciary to improve legal services for youth in the child welfare system, drawing from recommendations made by the previous Malama Ohana working group. The working group will be composed of diverse members including family court judges, a Supreme Court justice, judiciary members, representatives from the Attorney General's office, a guardian ad litem, legal experts, youth representatives, and individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system. Their primary tasks include reviewing recommendations from the previous working group related to court processes, examining legal service practices in other jurisdictions through site visits, and developing a pilot program for providing counsel services to youth. The group is required to submit a comprehensive report to the legislature before the 2026 regular session, detailing their findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation. The working group will be funded by state general revenues and will officially cease to exist on June 30, 2026, with the bill taking effect on December 31, 2050. The legislation aims to address concerns raised by youth who felt disregarded, uninformed, and excluded from decision-making processes in the child welfare system.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1228&year=2026