Bill > HB1382

This bill addresses improving child welfare services' response to domestic violence by establishing three key initiatives. First, the bill mandates specialized comprehensive domestic violence training for all child welfare services branch staff, tailored to different job functions like intake, assessment, case management, and permanency. Staff will be trained to conduct universal screening to measure violence exposure and risk factors, and to create safety plans and gather necessary documentation. Second, the bill requires creating a tracking system to monitor domestic violence cases, report on specialized services used, and identify behavioral patterns. Third, the bill establishes an automatic referral process for domestic violence cases to collaborate with on-site non-profit domestic violence specialists, who will work directly with child welfare staff to investigate cases and support families. The legislature aims to strengthen the child welfare system's capacity to differentiate between cooperating parents and those using the system to continue abuse, based on recommendations from the Malama Ohana working group. To implement these initiatives, the bill appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with a domestic violence-focused non-profit to provide training and on-site staff support, responding to the approximately 501 domestic violence reports received in 2024, of which 108 involved confirmed child victims.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1382&year=2025