summary
Introduced
01/21/2026
01/21/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
AI Summary
This bill, effective July 1, 3000, aims to address challenges in child custody evaluations by allowing licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators, a role previously limited to other licensed mental health professionals like marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers. The bill's proponents argue that licensed mental health counselors possess equivalent education and training, and expanding their eligibility will increase the number of qualified evaluators, reduce backlogs and wait times for evaluations, lower costs for families, and ensure more timely and equitable decisions regarding children's well-being in family court proceedings.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (16)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Greggor Ilagan (D)*,
Kirstin Kahaloa (D)*,
Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D)*,
Darius Kila (D)*,
Lisa Kitagawa (D)*,
Matthias Kusch (D)*,
Lisa Marten (D)*,
Scot Matayoshi (D)*,
Tyson Miyake (D)*,
Dee Morikawa (D)*,
Ikaika Olds (D)*,
Gregg Takayama (D)*,
Adrian Tam (D)*,
Chris Todd (D)*,
Justin Woodson (D)*,
Last Action
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Hearing (14:00:00 2/25/2026 Conference Room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE) (on 02/25/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1705&year=2026 |
| HB1705_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-25-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB1705_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-25-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1705_HD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB1705_HD1_HSCR310-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB1705_HD1_HSCR310-26_.pdf |
| HB1705_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-03-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB1705_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-03-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1705_.HTM |
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