Bill > HB1805

This bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within the Office of the Ombudsman to provide oversight and evaluation of services provided to children and their families by various state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, which administers child welfare services. This new office will be responsible for investigating complaints, conducting site visits to facilities serving children, reviewing agency records and procedures to ensure legal compliance, and issuing annual reports with findings and recommendations for improvement, including proposed legislation. The bill also clarifies that "state agency" includes entities like the Department of Education, Health, Human Services, Law Enforcement, Attorney General, the Judiciary (excluding court decisions), and the University of Hawaii system, and grants the child advocate broad access to records and the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, while maintaining confidentiality. The child advocate will be appointed by the legislature for a six-year term and will be subject to removal by a two-thirds vote for neglect of duty, misconduct, or disability. The bill also makes conforming amendments to existing laws to integrate the Office of the Child Advocate, including its inclusion in lists of entities that can receive government records and visit correctional facilities, and its participation in child protective review panels. Finally, it appropriates funds for the establishment of the office and its staff, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1805&year=2026