STAND. COM. REP. NO. 377-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2058

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2058 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reduce the emotional and financial hardship for domestic abuse victims obtaining temporary restraining orders by limiting the number of continuances a court may grant, absent exigent circumstances, for a show cause hearing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Domestic Violence Action Center, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, American Association of University Women Hawaii, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that establishing a limitation on the number of continuances a court may grant for show cause hearings may help expedite a victim's escape from an abuser and minimize the victim's leave of absence from work to attend court appearances.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the:

(1) Standard for exceptions to the limitation on continuances from exigent circumstances to good cause; and

(2) Effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2058, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2058, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair