Bill > HB1401

This bill modifies Hawaii's Child Protective Act to enhance the investigative powers of the Department of Human Services (DHS) when investigating potential child abuse or harm. Specifically, the bill requires DHS to interview all adults living in the family home and the alleged perpetrator during a child protection investigation, and mandates that these interviews must be recorded by video or audio. The recorded interviews must be saved in the case file and included in any petition for child removal. The bill expands the department's existing investigative powers, which already include conducting criminal history checks, interviewing children without parental approval, and taking temporary protective custody. The changes aim to provide more comprehensive documentation and transparency in child protection investigations by ensuring that adult interviews are systematically recorded and preserved as part of the investigative process. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving the department time to prepare for implementing these new requirements.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1401&year=2026