Bill > HB1381

This bill establishes a working group within Hawaii's judiciary to improve legal services for youth in the child welfare system, building on recommendations from the previously established Malama Ohana working group. The working group will include representatives from various sectors, such as family court judges, a Supreme Court justice, attorneys general, guardians ad litem, legal academics, youth leadership boards, and individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system. Their primary tasks include reviewing and implementing recommendations related to court processes for child welfare cases, examining legal service practices in other jurisdictions, and conducting site visits to identify potential improvements. The group is required to submit a comprehensive report to the legislature by early 2026, which must include plans for a pilot program to test counsel services for youth in a selected age range and jurisdiction. The working group will be funded through state general revenues and will cease to exist on June 30, 2026. The bill aims to address concerns raised by youth who felt marginalized in the current system, such as lack of information about their cases and exclusion from decision-making processes, with the ultimate goal of creating a more trauma-informed and responsive child welfare system.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1381&year=2026