STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1612

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 933

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 933, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow petitioners to attend temporary restraining order hearings remotely when domestic abuse is alleged.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Action Center, Restraining Orders Without Borders, and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that this measure will promote greater safety, economic justice, and equitable access to the courts for victims of domestic abuse.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 352, H.D. 1, a substantially similar measure, which previously passed the House, and which:

(1) Authorizes the family courts to allow petitioners to attend temporary restraining order hearings remotely upon request;

(2) Requires the family courts to consider certain factors when approving a request for remote attendance;

(3) Requires the family courts to allow petitioners who allege domestic abuse to attend temporary restraining order hearings remotely; and

(4) Takes effect on June 30, 3000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 933, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 933, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair