Bill > SB2572

This bill expands the authority of the family court in child protective proceedings by allowing it to determine if "aggravated circumstances" are present at any point before parental rights are terminated, not just at the beginning of the case or during a return hearing. Aggravated circumstances are defined to include specific acts of torture against a child, clarifying that a conviction for torture is not required for the court to make this finding. The bill also specifies that if aggravated circumstances are found, the court must hold a permanency hearing within thirty days and order the department to file a motion to terminate parental rights within sixty days, unless there's a documented compelling reason not to. Conversely, if aggravated circumstances are not present or termination is not in the child's best interest, the court will order efforts to reunify the child with their parents.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2572&year=2026