STAND. COM. REP. NO. 818-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1565

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1565, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a working group within the Judiciary to improve Family Court processes, including access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system; and

(2) Appropriate funds for a site visit, report drafting, facilitator, and paid compensation for certain working group members.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Office of Wellness and Resilience; National Association of Counsel for Children; National Center for Youth Law; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative; and numerous individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1565, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair