HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2192 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to coercive control.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that when child custody
is under consideration, courts should also be aware that coercive control is a
tactic that has been used by perpetrators to harm and exploit their partner and
children's wellbeing. When courts are
evaluating the best and safest way to issue custody orders, acts of coercive
control should be included in the analysis.
The purpose of this Act is to add coercive
control to the list of factors to be considered by the court in determining
what constitutes the best interest of the child.
SECTION 2. Section 571-46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) In determining what
constitutes the best interest of the child under this section, the court shall
consider, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Any
history of sexual or physical abuse of a child by a parent;
(2) Any
history of neglect or emotional abuse of a child by a parent;
(3) The
overall quality of the parent-child relationship;
(4) The
history of caregiving or parenting by each parent prior and subsequent to a marital
or other type of separation;
(5) Each
parent's cooperation in developing and implementing a plan to meet the child's
ongoing needs, interests, and schedule; provided that this factor shall not be
considered in any case where the court has determined that family violence has
been committed by a parent;
(6) The
physical health needs of the child;
(7) The
emotional needs of the child;
(8) The
safety needs of the child;
(9) The
educational needs of the child;
(10) The
child's need for relationships with siblings;
(11) Each
parent's actions demonstrating that they allow the child to maintain family
connections through family events and activities; provided that this factor
shall not be considered in any case where the court has determined that family
violence has been committed by a parent;
(12) Each
parent's actions demonstrating that they separate the child's needs from the
parent's needs;
(13) Any
evidence of past or current drug or alcohol abuse by a parent;
(14) The
mental health of each parent;
(15) The
areas and levels of conflict present within the family; [and]
(16) A
parent's prior wilful misuse of the protection from abuse process under chapter
586 to gain a tactical advantage in any proceeding involving the custody
determination of a minor. Such wilful
misuse may be considered only if it is established by clear and convincing
evidence, and if it is further found by clear and convincing evidence that in
the particular family circumstance the wilful misuse tends to show that, in the
future, the parent who engaged in the wilful misuse will not be able to
cooperate successfully with the other parent in their shared responsibilities
for the child. The court shall articulate
findings of fact whenever relying upon this factor as part of its determination
of the best interests of the child. For
the purposes of this section, when taken alone, the voluntary dismissal of a
petition for protection from abuse shall not be treated as prima facie evidence
that a wilful misuse of the protection from abuse process has occurred[.];
and
(17) Any history of coercive control of the child or a parent of the child by the other parent. For the purposes of this paragraph "coercive control" shall have the same meaning as in section 586-1."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Judiciary; Coercive Control
Description:
Adds coercive control to the factors a court may consider in determining the best interest of the child.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.